FDA Takes Another Step Toward Launching Third-Party Food Safety Audit Program
The Food and Drug Administration on June 21 launched its website for organizations to apply to become accreditors of third-party certification bodies under the Food Safety Modernization Act, it said (here). "Recognized accreditation bodies will have the authority to accredit…
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third-party 'certification bodies,' otherwise known as third-party auditors. In turn, the certification bodies (1) conduct consultative and/or regulatory food safety audits and (2) issue certifications to eligible entities that produce food for humans and animals," FDA said in a fact sheet (here). The third-party certification program allows for two types of audits -- consultative and regulatory -- the former of which does not require reports to be submitted to FDA, though records of the audits must still be maintained. Use of third-party certification bodies will be mandatory for participants in FDA’s upcoming Voluntary Qualified Importer Program, set to begin in 2019 (see 1611100028). FDA has said it expects third-party certifiers will also be relied upon by importers seeking to comply with the Foreign Supplier Verification Program regulations (see 1511190058). FDA can also require certification as a condition of entry for imported food products in limited circumstances when specific, risk-based criteria are met, it has said.