Dive Brief:
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is assisting 42 states with $21.8 million to help them implement the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) produce safety rule, according to an agency announcement.
- The initiative intends to "deliver education and technical assistance to farmers and to provide on-going inspection, compliance and oversight," according to a news release.
- The agency classified states' funding into tiers based on the estimated number of farms in the area.
Dive Insight:
Larger farms will need to comply with FSMA regulations sooner than smaller operations, similar to the preventative measures clause for manufacturers. But manufacturers often still need guidance regarding the new regulations, and they welcome any materials the FDA provides.
If the states themselves have more money to handle FSMA regulationss, they can better monitor the companies located within their municipalities. Manufacturers may have more local oversight, but implementing new protocols to comply with FSMA makes good business sense too. That's especially because recalls can be pricey to a business's wallet and reputation.
This announcement is more about farmers than manufacturers, but the news bears repeating because the farming community is such an integral part of any manufacturer's supply chain. Whole chain traceability can help manufacturers alleviate concerns stemming from suppliers.