New Food Safety Modernization Act Requirements and How to Reduce Risk as a Manufacturer

If you are a food manufacturer, you are likely aware that staying up to date with regulations is a crucial responsibility. One of the most significant recent updates is the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Enacted into law by President Obama, the FSMA was signed into law in January 2011 and is the largest change in food safety law in over 70 years.

The idea behind the FSMA is to keep consumers safe by shifting the focus from just reacting to food contamination to actually preventing it from happening in the first place. This is not limited to human food consumption; it also encompasses food consumed by animals, including pets.

Understanding FSMA and Its Impact on Manufacturers

Government regulations like FSMA are vital for keeping the food supply safe. They also mean that manufacturers need to set up robust processes to stay compliant. Ignoring these requirements can lead to hefty civil and criminal penalties, which nobody wants.

What does FSMA require from manufacturers? The law spells out multiple key mandates for Preventive Controls during the manufacturing process and the entire value chain. Some of the basic mandates are as follows:

• Creating a written Food Safety Plan (FSP)
• Conducting hazard analysis
• Implementing preventive controls
• Continuous monitoring
• Taking corrective actions when needed
• Verification of controls
• Maintaining detailed records

For example, take heat treatment during food production. It is a critical process control for managing or preventing bacterial contamination. But it’s not just about doing it right; manufacturers must also document these controls and associate them with specific batches, lots, and shipments to ensure full traceability.

Why Traceability Across the Supply Chain is a Game-Changer

The rules did not stop evolving after the FSMA was first introduced. On January 21, 2021, the FDA officially proposed even tighter record-keeping requirements to enhance traceability for food manufacturers, processors, packers, or holders of food on the Food Traceability List (FTL).

The concept is simple yet powerful. Businesses holding foods like certain cheeses, shell eggs, nut butter, fresh produce, finfish, and ready-to-eat deli salads need to maintain accurate records of Key Data Elements (KDEs) associated with Critical Tracking Events (CTEs).

This means every step from the farm all the way to the customer needs to be documented clearly and be quickly searchable if there’s ever a safety concern or recall. While the new requirements officially apply only to food on the FTL, the FDA anticipates voluntary adoption of its traceability standards across the industry.

The Role of Technology: Going Beyond Paper

If we are being honest with ourselves, keeping up with all this traceability on paper or with siloed spreadsheets just doesn’t cut it anymore. These methods can burden you and act as a barrier to compliance, especially because regulators are expecting that information in seconds.

That is where technology can help. Imagine electronic record-keeping systems that not only automatically collect and store all of your traceability data, from raw materials to finished goods, but also cross-reference it. Now think of those technologies augmented with artificial intelligence and supply chain management that can analyze all that data in real time, highlighting any hidden trends or potential hazards, which could lead to major mistakes that cost money.

This kind of tech doesn’t just make life easier, it’s becoming essential. With the rise of manufacturing SaaS platforms and solutions designed specifically for the smart manufacturing industry 4.0 era, it’s easier than ever to adopt these innovations.

The Impact of Supply Chain Management AI

One of the biggest trends in supply chain management today is the integration of supply chain management AI. This means using advanced AI algorithms to optimize everything from inventory levels and demand forecasting to supplier risk management and logistics. Some food manufacturing companies must comply with FSMA requirements; they must automate and collect Key Data Elements (KDE) during critical tracking events (CTE), which would eliminate the chance of missing important information.

As a result of AI, the manufacturer could mitigate human errors, better respond during recall situations, and become more efficient in all operations. Compliance is no longer the only motivation; organizations should want or need to gain a competitive advantage with the use of data and smart decision-making.

Material Traceability and How ThinkIQ Can Support Your Manufacturing Journey

At ThinkIQ, we are aware that food manufacturers are facing pressure to adhere to new regulations while managing complexity, efficiency, and profits. That’s why we offer a Digital Manufacturing Transformation SaaS solution that delivers unparalleled material traceability and actionable insights.

Our platform provides you with a granular, factual, and data-driven view of material flows and their source and integrates with your existing infrastructure, IoT, and operational technology. ThinkIQ goes beyond compliance; it gives you the ability to improve yield, improve quality and safety, and restore brand confidence.

Our customers have saved tens of millions of dollars simply by reducing waste, identifying underperforming assets, and reducing warranty reserves related to quality and safety events. This level of data-driven insight is so important in current supply chains.

ThinkIQ and the Future of Smart Manufacturing Industry 4.0

If you’re using ThinkIQ’s solutions, you’re not only passing compliance requirements, but also stepping into the future of the smart manufacturing industry 4.0. ThinkIQ’s cloud-based platform truly supports collaboration across multiple supply chain partners, while breaking data silos and providing real-time visibility. This enables fast, accurate decision-making so you can operate your business in this rapidly changing environment.

Furthermore, ThinkIQ’s technology aligns with the manufacturing SaaS ecosystem to offer flexibility, scalability, and consistent updates to align you with the latest regulatory compliances and trends in supply chain management.

What This Means for You as a Manufacturer

So, what can manufacturers do to meet FSMA’s requirements as well as more customer demand for traceability? Here’s a quick checklist.

• Invest in a record-keeping and digital traceability system that can handle complex data from multiple sources.
• Use artificial intelligence and supply chain management to provide automated monitoring to tell you about risks before they become an issue.
• Work collaboratively with suppliers, processors, and logistics partners to enable data to move effortlessly throughout your supply chain.
• Select technology partners, like ThinkIQ, that offer end-to-end solutions that are designed to meet the specific challenges of food manufacturing.

By taking these steps, you not only reduce your chances of non-compliance and costly recalls, but you also position your business to thrive in an ever-evolving technology-driven market.

Are You Ready to Transform Your Manufacturing Operations?

If you would like more information about how ThinkIQ’s manufacturing SaaS can help you with FSMA compliance requirements, increase supply chain visibility, and gain new efficiencies, reach out to us today.

If you’re done chasing paper trails, concerned about recalls, and wanting to know if your processes are fail-proof, let’s talk. ThinkIQ’s platform is created for manufacturers like you, those who care about doing it right and staying ahead of the game.

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