September 10, 2015 – 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.