Digest of FDA Food Safety Modernization Act

Outline

• Key Facts and Background
• Government Resources
• Industry/Union Commentary, Response
• Research Community/Consumer Advocacy/Activist Group Response
• Foodborne Illness Background and Facts
• State-based Resources
• Speeches, Statements, and Letters
• Components of the Law
• FSMA Effects: FAQs

Key Facts & Background

General Information & Data on the FSMA

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agency
• National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC): an association that lobbies for government change to enhance agriculture and natural resource sustainability
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): a federal health protection agency serving the U.S. through prevention and response to disease
• The Federal Food Safety Working Group (FSWG): created in 2009, this agency’s responsibility is to advance national food safety

Government Resources

Organizations Involved with the FSMA

• FoodSafety.gov: a government website that provides consumers with federal food safety information
• CDC: upholds the FSMA by working with the FDA to research foodborne illnesses and advocate food safety
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA): this group’s mission with respect to food safety is to move the focus to avoiding contamination altogether, as opposed to simply responding to outbreaks

Industry/Union Commentary, Response

The Impact of the FSMA on International & Local Food Industry Organizations

• Produce Marketing Association (PMA): an international agency involved in producing and distributing produce
• New England Farmers Union: a union that works cooperatively to protect the rights of local fisherman, farmers and their customers in the New England states
• National Milk Producers Federation: with 30 cooperatives in America, the NMPF’s mission is to protect the rights and security of its dairy producers
• International Dairy Foods Association: this organization also encompasses the Milk Industry Foundation, the National Cheese Institute, and the International Ice Cream Association
• California Leafy Green Products Handler Marketing Agreement: the members of this organization work to eliminate possible contaminants in leafy green vegetables grown in the state of California
• National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition: this organization is a combination of a series of alliances whose mission is to champion agriculture and natural resource sustainability through government reform
• Quality Assurance Magazine: a publication on food quality and safety aimed at food and beverage industry professionals
• Food Safety News: a publication that focuses on current food safety issues in all sectors of the food and beverage industry
• The Natural Farmer: a newspaper of the Northeast Farming Association, this publication focuses on organic farming and rising environmental issues in relation to farmers and the organic food industry
• United Fresh Produce Association: a trade association whose mission is to promote growth for both private and publicly traded U.S. produce companies

Research Community/Consumer Advocacy/Activist Group Response

• NSF International: a worldwide organization responsible for producing health standards
• Center for Effective Government: a Washington, D.C.-based group that carries out research and develops new reforms with the mission to protect citizens and the environment
• U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention: a nonprofit group working alongside the FDA to set safe standards for food quality, along with dietary supplements and medicine
• Community Alliance with Family Farmers: an alliance whose mission is to advance sustainable agriculture by working together with farmers and urban advocates
• Food Safety News: this news source provides information on outbreaks from foodborne illness, current food safety, and food policy

Foodborne Illness Background & Facts

• Partnership for Food Safety Education: this organization works to reduce the cases of foodborne disease in America
• PBS-Frontline: this article provides a list of pathogens found in foods which could cause infection, along with the symptoms of each
• Live Science: a resource for current scientific events and science articles
• USDA Economic Research Service: the ERS works to keep the public informed on agriculture and food policies, and provides research for the USDA

State-based Resources

• Oregon Department of Agriculture: the ODA works in cooperation with the FDA to keep food supplies safe and free of contaminants
• National Conference of State Legislatures: this research agency works to improve the communication and effectiveness of state legislatures
• University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension: the organization explains the potential impact that the Food Safety Modernization Act may have on New Hampshire farms

Speeches, Statements, & Letters

Articles Published on Whitehouse.gov

• "President Obama Applauds Senate Passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act"
• "Statement by the Press Secretary" on the FSMA

Articles & Statements Published by the FDA

• Blog Posts on the FSMA by government and state officials
• "Food Safety and Consumer Confidence in the Global Food System"
• "Progress on FSMA, Changes within the FDA Foods Program and on Partnerships"
• "FSMA One Year Later"
• "Response to Letter from Grocery Manufacturers Association"
• "Response to Letter from Snack Food Association"
• Oregon Public Broadcasting: Rep. Walden Questions New FDA Water Rules