FSMA Session added to PROCESS EXPO educational program.
Press Release Summary:
Tom Chestnut, Vice President for Supply Chain Food Safety and Quality at NSF International, will address importance of the Food Safety Modernization Act at a seminar for food processors attending PROCESS EXPO 2011 in Chicago, November 1-4. Chestnut will outline ways in which processors can implement immediate changes, which is essential as the FDA enters rule-making phase of FSMA.
Original Press Release:
FSMA Session Added to PROCESS EXPO Educational Program
When asked to rate the importance of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) on a 5 point scale, Tom Chestnut of NSF International, a public health organization with supply chain food safety expertise, gave it the highest rating of 5. Asked, "How do you think food processors would rate it?" Chestnut replied, "Today they would probably rate it a "3", but soon they will rate it a "5".
Tom Chestnut, Vice President for Supply Chain Food Safety and Quality at NSF International, will address the importance of the FSMA at a seminar for food processors attending PROCESS EXPO 2011 in Chicago, November 1-4. "Many processors are taking a wait and see approach on the FSMA and my recommendation would be to start acting now", said Chestnut. Chestnut will outline ways in which processors can implement immediate changes, which is essential as the FDA enters the rule-making phase of the FSMA. "Any processor that sources raw materials internationally will be impacted," said Chestnut. "And, if you buy directly and are the importer of record, you can certainly anticipate new obligations", he concluded.
Fresh produce and other "high risk" foods will receive additional emphasis under the new law. The FDA has been given the authority to require the food safety certification of imported food products based on risk factors. When asked if the climate of cost-cutting in Washington will delay the implementation of the FSMA, Chestnut replied: "Perhaps the opposite. What has been mandated to the FDA is the law, so it must be implemented. And the resources requested by the legislation may not get funded so the FDA may have to be more innovative, including greater use of 3rd party auditing as a way to support the Agency's mandate".
This seminar is one of over thirty seminars available at no cost to the attendees of PROCESS EXPO 2011. To register on-line or for more information about this and other seminars as well as the EXPO, go to myprocessexpo.com
The Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA) is a global trade association serving suppliers in the food and beverage industries. The Association's programs and services support member's success by providing assistance in marketing their products and services, overall improvement in key business practices and many opportunities to network among industry colleagues. Programs and services to achieve these objectives include PROCESS EXPO (industry leading trade show), electronic media marketing, education, market intelligence, research, and advocation of critical industry issues such as food safety, sanitary design of equipment, and global trade.
FPSA members are organized in vertical industry councils which focus on specific needs and concerns that are unique to each industry sector. FPSA councils currently represent the Bakery, Beverage, Dairy, Fruits & Vegetable and Meat sectors.
