What is the role of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in regulating food safety in the United States?

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) fundamentally shifted the approach to food safety regulation in the United States from responding to contamination to preventing it. Signed into law in 2011, FSMA gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) more authority to regulate how food is grown, harvested, and processed. The key components of FSMA include preventive controls, produce safety standards, import safety, and enhanced partnerships. The Preventive Controls rules require food facilities to develop and implement written food safety plans that identify potential hazards, implement preventive controls to minimize or eliminate those hazards, monitor the effectiveness of those controls, and take corrective actions when necessary. The Produce Safety Rule establishes science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fruits and vegetables. The Import Safety provisions require importers to verify that their foreign suppliers are producing food in a manner that provides the same level of safety as domestic producers. The Enhanced Partnerships component aims to improve collaboration and information sharing among federal, state, and local agencies, as well as with foreign governments. An example of FSMA's impact is the requirement for food facilities to conduct hazard analyses and implement preventive controls for allergens, ensuring that allergens are properly managed to prevent cross-contamination and protect allergic consumers. FSMA also provides the FDA with the authority to conduct more frequent inspections of food facilities and to issue mandatory recalls of unsafe food products. Overall, FSMA represents a significant modernization of food safety regulations in the United States, with a focus on preventing foodborne illness rather than simply reacting to outbreaks.