Consumer Federation of America today welcomed the release of two proposed food safety rules that address the safety of imported food. Both rules have been under review at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for many months – the Foreign Supplier Verification Program proposal was under review for over a year and a half, while the Accreditation of Third Parties to Conduct Food Safety Audits proposal was under review for eight months. Both rules are required as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). OMB has yet to release a proposed rule addressing preventive controls for animal feed.
“Assuring the safety of imported food is essential to help prevent foodborne illness and protect consumers,” said Chris Waldrop, director of the Food Policy Institute at Consumer Federation of America. “We look forward to reviewing the proposals carefully and providing comments to the agency.”
The Food Safety Modernization Act was passed with bipartisan support in Congress and signed into law by President Obama on January 4, 2011. Improving the safety of imported food is a key component of the new law.
“We encourage the Administration to work expeditiously to implement the many provisions of FSMA in order to fulfill the promise of the law and assure consumers are adequately protected,” Waldrop said.
Contact: Chris Waldrop, 202-797-8551
Consumer Federation of America is an association of nearly 300 nonprofit consumer organizations that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, advocacy and education.