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PMMI report analyses responses of food industry on FSMA preparedness
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Friday, 30 September, 2016, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Reston
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fiogf49gjkf0d fiogf49gjkf0d The latest Food Safety Modernisation Act (FSMA) update report by PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, analysed responses from 47 food industry stakeholders on FSMA preparedness and identified what food manufacturers needed for supplier partners.
It concluded that while large food companies and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) were well on their way towards compliance with the Act, small food companies and fresh fruit and vegetable processors were still struggling to understand all aspects of the new law.
With limited regulatory oversight before FSMA, these businesses were making more investments in new equipment to help meet compliance. Additionally, small food companies and farms were challenged with overheads, while those that sourced ingredients from overseas-based suppliers had to ensure that their suppliers were compliant with the law’s food supplier programme.
The report noted that a number of managers still needed clarification on deadlines as well as specifics on what parts of the law were relevant to their facilities. “Understanding FSMA compliance and documentation requirements present significant challenges to implementation,” said Jorge Izquierdo, vice-president, market development, PMMI.
“As a result, about 30 per cent of participating companies - particularly smaller ones - plan to use OEM as a consulting resource to help figure out how FSMA applies to thier operations,” he added.
An additional challenge with FSMA is the continuing roll-out of new documentation requirements. Spme companies are still awaiting guidance from the Food and Drig Administration (FDA).
Since FSMA is performance-based and does not require equipment designs, preparation activities focus mainly on internal staff training on new procedures and protocols, establishing preventive control and instituting more documentation.
Drivers for new equipment and mostly business growth and creation of new projects, but designs and services must address current food safety objectives.
At Pack Expo International and Pharma Expo 2016, which are taking place at McCormick Place, Chicago, between November 6 and 9, food manufacturers can benefit from such destinations as the Food Safety Summit Resource Centre, where they can meet one-on-one with subject matter experts and address a wide range of food safety issues and compliance.
The Innovation Stage presentations - 30-minute seminars located in the Upper North Building - will cover such topics as promoting food safety through representative sampling and hygienic design and secrets that enable factory maintenance to drive better food safety. They will take place every 30 minutes throughout the show.
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