Snack World - November 2012 - (Page 19)

Government Affairs SFA advocates on members’ behalf regarding key legislative issues. BY BOB GATTY N ow that the election is over, snack food company executives can expect to see new developments regarding many key governmental issues that have been in limbo during the past year or more. Perhaps at the top of the list is implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which was to begin in July but was essentially put on hold because the Obama administration did not release impending regulations. Like many industries, snack food manufacturing companies have been in a difficult position, wanting to prepare for FSMA compliance but unable to do so because of the lack of certainty resulting from the delay in issuing the rules. One of the key concerns, according to Snack Food Association (SFA) President and CEO Jim McCarthy, has been whether warehouses and depots would be required to comply with requirements of the law, including development and implementation of food safety plans. The association joined with the American Bakers Association in urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that these low-risk facilities be excluded from those requirements. “We expect that [FDA] will allow us to use existing good manufacturing practices” to meet the law’s requirements, Mr. McCarthy said during the SFA Snack School at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA, in October. Once the rules are finalized, Mr. McCarthy said, SFA will hold a webinar for members providing experts in the law who will offer advice as to steps that need to be taken for compli- ance. Additional comprehensive information will be provided in other forms. LEGISLATIVE CONCERNS. Governmental developments regarding acrylamide continue to cause concern. The Canadian government in August issued Health Canada’s “Revised Exposure Assessment of Acrylamide in Food.” SFA plans FDA launches biennial registration renewal system On Oct. 22, more than three weeks behind schedule, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began accepting food facility registration renewals. This implements a new requirement established by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that states all registered food facilities must renew their registrations biennially in each even-numbered year. FSMA requires registration renewal to occur between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. However, FDA delayed the launch of the system due to what was described as a complex clearance and implementation process. Now that FDA has launched the system, all registered food facilities are required to renew their registrations with FDA before the end of the year. The agency is considering whether to accept registration renewals after the Dec. 31 deadline and will make a statement on this issue at a later date. Hogan Lovells US LLP, SFA’s legal counsel, recommended that food companies delay beginning the registration renewal process until mid-November, in a memorandum issued announcing that the registration renewals process was getting under way. “This will allow FDA time to get the kinks out of the online renewal system and thus avoid potential frustrations if IT-related issues arise,” stated the memo. For additional information about the registration renewal requirement, including steps food companies should take to prepare the renewal process, SFA members can reference this memo. To request a copy this document or for additional information, please contact SFA President and CEO Jim McCarthy at (703) 836-4500 ext. 201 or jmccarthy@sfa.org, or contact SFA General Counsel Martin Hahn at (202) 637-5926 or martin.hahn@hoganlovells.com. www.sfa.org November 2012 Snack World 19 http://www.sfa.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Snack World - November 2012

Snack World - November 2012
Table of Contents
Letter from SFA - Strengthening SFA
Supplier's Corner - Suppliers Get Value from SFA
75th Anniversary - Navigating the Road Ahead
75th Anniversary - Let's Get Political
Bowing Out
Milestones - Golden Oldies
Government Affairs - Post-Election Actions
Industry Images - Back to School
Meeting Preview - Building Business Together
New Snacks
Products & Services
Ad Index

Snack World - November 2012