Hazards and FSMA

The regulations that are part of the FSMA, are becoming clear.  The FDA is clearly working hard on making sure the marketplace has adequate information.  They've re-organized the website and added a Small Business Page.

But here's the short and dirty version.  Processors that need to register:

• Dietary supplements and dietary ingredients
• Infant formula
• Beverages (including alcoholic beverages and bottled water)
• Fruits and vegetables
• Fish and seafood
• Dairy products and shell eggs
• Raw agricultural commodities for use as food or components of food
• Canned and frozen foods
• Bakery goods, snack food, and candy (including chewing gum)
• Live food animals
• Food for animals (e.g., pet food, pet treats and chews, animal feed)

Farms don't have to register IF all the food  "is grown, raised, or consumed on that farm or another farm under the same ownership, as well as facilities that manufacture/process food, provided that all food used in such activities is consumed on that farm or another farm under the same ownership."

FDA compliant businesses will need to address the following hazards:

•  Biological
• Chemical
• Physical
• Radiological hazards
• Natural toxins
• Pesticides
• Drug residues
• Decomposition
• Parasites
• Allergens
• Unapproved food and color additives
• Hazards that occur naturally
• Hazards that may be unintentionally introduced
• Identify and evaluate hazards that may be intentionally introduced, including by acts of terrorism

That is no short list!  

Fortunately, help is at hand  I will teaching a Risk Analysis/HACCP 101 course on April 24 at the Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce.  The Course wil cover the risk analysis and HACCP that the FDA requires.  Registration is on the website.  We look forward to seeing you!