Understanding FSMA – Video Series
3 of 4 Who Will be Affected & Who Will be Exempt
Carriers, shippers, receivers, loaders and brokers will be directly affected by the new FSMA rules. Any food that is consumed, distributed or transported to the US falls under these new requirements.
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SUMMARY:
Carriers, shippers, receivers, loaders and brokers will be directly affected by the new FSMA rules. Any food that is consumed, distributed or transported to the US falls under these new requirements.
While there are some exceptions and exemptions that may or may not apply to your business, your shipper may require these things from you regardless.
Enforcement of these rules will start with large businesses on April 6, 2017. Small businesses are required to be in compliance no later than April 6, 2018.
The Timeline:
- April 6, 2016: Rule was published
- June 6, 2016: Final rules became effective
- April 6, 2017: Large businesses are required to be in compliance
- April 6, 2018: Small businesses are required be in compliance
There is a grace period to give you time to receive training and make the necessary changes and preparations — enforcement begins on April 6, 2017.
KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
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Carriers, shippers, receivers, loaders and brokers will be directly affected by the new FSMA rules. Any food that is consumed, distributed or transported to the US falls under these new requirements.
-
While there are some exceptions and exemptions that may or may not apply to your business, your shipper may require these things from you regardless.
-
Enforcement of these rules will start with large businesses on April 6, 2017. Small businesses are required to be in compliance no later than April 6, 2018.
Below are the basic and most common exemptions that may be applicable to you:
- Shippers, receivers or carriers engaged in food transportation operations that have less than $500,000 in average annual revenue.
- Transportation of certain foods that are completely enclosed by a container that does not require any temperature control.
- Transportation of live food animals, except for Molluscan Shellfish.
There are further exemptions detailed on the FDA website.
But, don’t get too excited. Even if you’re exempt, your shipper may not be.
Because the shipper holds the primary responsibility to maintain sanitary conditions and safe food, they may require specific sanitary procedural requirements and even a full preventive controls plan.
To protect themselves and their consumers, your shippers may require you to either adopt their program, build your own, or choose a carrier with a program already in place.
