Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1034837
50 STiR coffee and tea / Issue 5, 2018 (October / November) D By Dan Bolton eadlines for small food and beverage company compliance with provisions of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) are now. The new regulations apply to companies that manufacture, pack, process, or store food, including coffee roasters, bottlers, and tea blenders. Beginning in March 2017 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a priority of enforcing the new rules with large food manufacturers and importers during the initial stages of implementation but now even small firms, those earning $1 million and less, must meet FSMA mandates. These include: • A hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls (HARPC) plan • Preventive controls qualified individuals (PCQIs) training • Food defense plans, and • Foreign supplier verification program (FSVP) "During the past year FDA has taken a very reasonable stance on FSVP, explic- itly saying it would blend education with soft enforcement to help importers ramp up," explains Joseph DeRupo, former NCA external relations director and FSMA regulatory consultant. "But time is up as FDA steps up enforcement, leaving many importers unaware and vulnerable to stopped shipments, legal action, and fines," says DeRupo. "They're also risking an FDA import alert, which could blacklist their imports for automatic detention without physical examination (DWPE). To get the regulatory veil lifted, they'd need to develop a full FSVP program, deploy it successfully, and then rack up five consecutive compliant entries before they can petition FDA for release," he explains. "Bottom line – it's time to act, and quickly," he advises. The deadline for preventive controls compliance was Sept. 17, 2018. Very small businesses may choose to comply by either implementing a HARPC food safety plan and supply chain program or by submitting a qualified facility attestation with FDA. FSMA: Time to Comply Food and beverage manufacturers doing business in the US must now comply with more stringent import food safety regulations.