Kraig R. Naasz, president and ceo of the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) lauded the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on September 10 for its issuance of Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Final Rules on Preventive Controls for Human Food and Animal Feed.
FSMA, which was signed into law during January of 2011, represents the first major overhaul of the nation’s food safety system in more than 70 years. AFFI has been actively engaged on behalf of its 500 members to help shape the rules required of FDA to guide implementation of the Act.
“AFFI commends FDA for its current approach to FSMA implementation. We appreciate and value the collaborative working relationships cultivated by FDA during the development of these rules, and we believe a comprehensive, systemic approach to food safety will continue to provide Americans with the safest possible food supply,” stated Naasz.
Noting that food safety is the highest priority of the frozen food and beverage makers and distributors, AFFI chief executive said that the trade association has invested significant resources to develop best-in-class tools and strategies to assist food and beverage makers prepare for and comply with the new food safety paradigm created by FSMA.
“We also stand ready to work with the administration and Congress to ensure sufficient federal resources are allocated to FDA’s critical food safety activities without imposing new costs on food makers and consumers through user fees,” stated Naasz.
McLean, Virginia-headquartered AFFI and a coalition of more than 60 food groups recently urged the Obama Administration to develop a fiscal year 2017 budget that adequately funds FDA’s food safety programs without saddling consumers and food makers with burdensome new taxes or fees.
