Get Ready for FSMA
Contact an expert to find out more.
The US FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is the most sweeping reform of US food safety laws in 70 years. It applies to covered facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold food for humans or animal food. Produce farms, US importers, shippers, receivers, loaders and carriers who transport food in the United States are also subject to FSMA. If your operation falls within this scope, then it must comply with all applicable elements of the regulation.
SGS can help you ensure compliance across your food facilities and supply chain with FSMA certification, audit, testing, supplier verification, training and technical services.
Contact us to learn how SGS can help you prepare for FSMA.
FSMA VQIP Certification
FSMA Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) Certification is the third party accredited certification recognized by FDA. Available to foreign suppliers, it is a prerequisite for VQIP, which allows expedited entry of food to the US. FSMA VQIP certification may also be used when mandated by FDA for certain food facilities in specific countries or supplier sites, based on FDA’s risk evaluation. VQIP is applicable to all food categories regulated by FDA, including categories not covered by the Preventive Controls rules, such as seafood, juices, etc. A certificate can be granted following an unannounced regulatory audit and is valid for one year.
FSMA FSVP Certification
FSMA Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) certification is an accredited program. Unlike VQIP, it is not regulated by FSMA rules. It applies to facilities outside the US and serves for supplier verification purposes. Like many other programs, recertification is required prior to certificate expiry. FSMA FSVP certification helps companies demonstrate compliance with FSMA while reducing audit fatigue and multiple supplier audits required by US importers.
Audits
We offer FSMA preventive controls, importer compliance and intentional adulteration (food defense) audits. These audits can be used as pre-assessments, gap audits or supplier audits and are streamlined to reduce the need for multiple audits.
Testing
Through its global network of food labs, SGS can help you comply with the environmental monitoring, water testing, supply chain and allergen management requirements of FSMA. With a variety of FSMA testing protocols and expertise, SGS is the one-stop-shop for all your food and animal feed testing needs.
Supplier Verification and Approval
Transparency-One, the FSMA compliance platform, facilitates the FSMA compliance journey by automating supplier verification and approval. Using cutting edge, cloud-based technology and real-time, supply-chain data, it helps companies track their high risk ingredients to the source, providing manufacturers with supplier information and document management, reporting and approvals services.
Training
Our comprehensive new FSMA training program helps you and your employees understand and comply with the complex new rules. We provide training for manufacturers and suppliers of human and animal foods, food importers, and fresh produce growers and farms. Our courses are available face to face or online.
Technical Support
If you own or operate a US facility, or are an importer covered by FSMA rules, there are auditing, risk assessment, testing, labeling, supply chain management, training and other requirements that apply to you. Our wide range of FSMA technical support services makes your journey toward compliance easier.
How Far Are You From FSMA?
SGS has developed a free online FSMA self-assessment tool, based on the FSMA compliance checklist. Get started now >