FDA and USDA launch programme for food safety in US

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has collaborated with US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to monitor and manage the National Food Safety Training, Education, Extension, Outreach, and Technical Assistance Program.

This programme will fund food safety training for small farm owners and food processors in the country.

It will also include education and technical assistance for these critical groups according to the standards proposed in the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

The programme will focus on farmers with small and medium-size farms, farmers just entering into business, socially disadvantaged farmers, small food processors and fruit, as well as vegetable wholesalers and farms that lack access to food safety training and other educational opportunities, FDA said.

The funding will be provided to various entities that are listed by FDA including federal, state, or local agency, state cooperative extension services, and non-profit community based or non-governmental organisations, among others.

As the key feature of FSMA implementation strategy, the educational and technical assistance is for helping develop a better understanding and adoption of established food safety standards, guidance, and protocols, the FDA stated.

FSMA will also combine these standards and guidance with severel agricultural production systems, encompassing conventional, sustainable, organic, and conservation and environmental practices.

Currently, FDA has issued applications for the establishment of a National Coordination Centre (NCC) for this programme. Application for the regional centres will be issued after the funding.

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Image: This new programme will offer training, education and technical assistance for small farm owners and food processors. Photo: courtesy of satit_srihin/ freedigitalphotos.net.