FSMA - Food Safety & Modernization Act
FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) is a federal law enacted in January of 2011 in the United States that aims to ensure the safety of the food supply. To be in compliance with FSMA, a business must implement a food safety plan that includes, but is not limited to, a HACCP plan.
However, Food Safety Plans are not unique to the United States. Many countries around the world have food safety regulations that require food businesses to implement a food safety plan. Some of the countries include:
- European Union (EU): The EU has a comprehensive food safety framework that requires food businesses to implement a food safety management system, such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), as part of their food safety plan.
- Australia: The Australian food safety regulatory framework requires food businesses to implement a food safety program, which includes HACCP principles, as part of their food safety plan.
- Canada: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency requires food businesses to implement a food safety program that includes HACCP principles as part of their food safety plan.
- Japan: The Japanese food safety regulatory framework requires food businesses to implement a food safety management system, which includes HACCP principles, as part of their food safety plan.
- New Zealand: The New Zealand food safety regulatory framework requires food businesses to implement a food safety program that includes HACCP principles as part of their food safety plan.
It is important to note that the specific requirements for a food safety plan will vary by country, and food businesses should consult with local authorities to ensure compliance with applicable regulations. At KBI we aim to support developing a Food Safety Plan as it is a framework for understanding every aspect of your business to prevent harm to your customers, employees and yourself!
Top 5 Reasons to Implement a Food Safety Plan
- Food Safety: A HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) plan helps ensure the safety of food products by identifying potential hazards and implementing measures to control and prevent them.
- Compliance: HACCP is a legally required standard for food safety in many countries, and compliance with these regulations helps companies avoid penalties and protect their reputation.
- Quality Control: A HACCP plan helps to monitor and control the quality of food products, ensuring that they meet the required standards and specifications.
- Cost Savings: Implementing a HACCP plan can result in cost savings by reducing the risk of food recalls, reducing waste, and improving efficiency in the production process.
- Continuous Improvement: HACCP is a continuous process of improvement, and regular review and updates to the plan help to identify and address new hazards as they emerge, improving food safety over time.
More than just HACCP...
FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) is a federal law in the United States that aims to ensure the safety of the food supply. To be in compliance with FSMA, a business must implement a food safety plan that includes, but is not limited to, a HACCP plan. In addition to HACCP, a business may also need to comply with the following requirements, depending on their specific operations and the type of food products they produce:
- Preventive Controls: FSMA requires that businesses implement preventive controls to minimize the risk of foodborne illness or injury.
- Sanitary Transportation: FSMA requires that food products be transported under conditions that do not compromise their safety. Cold supply chain is crucial for raw fermented foods and drinks.
- Recordkeeping: FSMA requires that businesses keep records of their food safety activities, including the implementation of their HACCP plan and preventive controls. Recall procedures and lot coding go hand in hand to reduce the risk of spreading contaminated foods.
- Employee Training: FSMA requires that employees be trained in food safety and related practices, including the implementation of the HACCP plan and preventive controls.
- Supplier Verification: FSMA requires that businesses verify that their suppliers are producing food products in a manner that meets applicable food safety requirements.
- Foreign Supplier Verification Program: For businesses importing food into the United States, FSMA requires that they implement a Foreign Supplier Verification Program to verify that foreign suppliers are producing food products in a manner that meets applicable food safety requirements.
It is important to note that the specific requirements for compliance with FSMA will vary depending on the type of food product and the specific operations of the business.
Save Big with KBI HACCP Templates, Logs & Video Course
Hiring a consultant can cost beaucoup bucks which may put compliance out of reach especially for those just starting out. KBI has made it simple for you to generate your own HACCP plan for a fraction of the price!
Here’s what’s included:
- HACCP Plan Cover and Description
- Process Flow Diagram
- HACCP Hazard Analysis
- CCP logs
- Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures
- Employee Illness Policy and Agreement
- Customer/Consumer Complaint and Response log
- Visitor log
- Cooler temp log
- Cooler temp calibration log
- HACCP PDF Presentation from KKON15 by Susan Fink
- HACCP PDF Presentation from KKON16 by Edward Rothbauer
- HACCP Plan Webinar by Hannah Crum (video)
Plus our Member Forum is the perfect place to ask questions and share your plan with others for feedback. Join the community committed to your success – become a member today to take advantage of the many resources, educational video library, discounts on KombuchaKon, Kombucha Kup and so much more!