Dive Summary:

• The FDA held a public meeting late last week to cover and take questions concerning the first act of the FSMA, namely preventative controls and produce safety.
• Although the debate was heated at times, most attendees ended their remarks on a positive note, thanking the FDA for getting serious and thinking through the current legislation.
• Some of the main issues covered were exempt produce commodities, rapidly evolving science, small farm exemptions, and whether environmental and product testing would be explicitly required.

From the article:

Commenters seemed to, for the most part, agree the regulations would be a positive step, as long as they are further clarified, based on science, and not overly burdensome for businesses, particularly small and very small businesses. Several testimonies also called on the White House Office of Management and Budget to release the next three major FSMA rules – the foreign supplier verification program, preventive controls for animal feed, and third party certification, so they can be considered as a suite of interlocking regulations.