Food Safety Modernization Act

Summary

• First Signed Into Law: January 2011 (H.R. 2751). No current changes to existing law (view the full legislation)
• Administered By: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (view the FDA website about the program)

Key Points

The FSMA addresses gaps in our food safety system by expanding FDA authority to regulate foods through more inspections at food facilities, mandated product recalls, increased oversight to certain farms, and tightened record-keeping requirements.

The law requires food processing, manufacturing, and shipping facilities to analyze safety hazards, and to design and implement risk-based controls to prevent outbreaks from occurring. FSMA contains several provisions related to dietary supplements, subject to regulations for food under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The ultimate goal of FSMA is to ensure the safety of our nation's food supply by shifting the focus to the prevention of – rather than strictly response to – food contamination and disease outbreak. The Food and Drug Administration will continue to issue proposed rules for the implementation of FSMA, which are available for public comment.