ARLINGTON, VA – The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) recognized the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) ongoing efforts to strengthen the nation’s food safety system with today’s release of two rules pursuant to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA): Preventive Controls for Human and Animal Food. The final rules released today go into effect next year and will impose significant new responsibilities for food manufacturers and retailers up and down the supply chain.
FMI Vice President of Food Safety Programs Hilary Thesmar stated, “We commend the agency for its commitment to transparency, guidance and education throughout the rulemaking process. FSMA represents the most sweeping change to our food safety laws in over in 70 years, and we will continue to work with FDA to analyze the rules and assess implications for the grocery industry.”
It will be critical for FDA and industry to work together to provide clear and consistent guidance, education and outreach to ensure a smooth implementation process. FMI was supportive throughout the legislative process during the 111th Congress, and we now work closely with FDA as the agency continues its implementation of the law and releases additional FSMA rules over the next few months.
Food Marketing Institute proudly advocates on behalf of the food retail industry. FMI’s U.S. members operate nearly 40,000 retail food stores and 25,000 pharmacies, representing a combined annual sales volume of almost $770 billion. Through programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education and industry relations, FMI offers resources and provides valuable benefits to more than 1,225 food retail and wholesale member companies in the United States and around the world. FMI membership covers the spectrum of diverse venues where food is sold, including single owner grocery stores, large multi-store supermarket chains and mixed retail stores. For more information, visit www.fmi.org and for information regarding the FMI foundation, visit www.fmifoundation.org.
Source: Food Marketing Institute