The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the publication of draft guidance to assist qualified facilities, such as very small businesses, with complying with the Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule or the Preventive Controls for Animal Food Rule under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
According to the FDA, a “qualified facility” is subject to modified requirements of the preventive controls rules. Modified requirements can be met by submitting a form to the FDA, attesting to the business’s status as a qualified facility, and attesting that the facility is implementing preventive controls to address hazards associated with its food or is in compliance with non-Federal food safety laws and regulations. This draft guidance, “Qualified Facility Attestation Using Form FDA 3942a (for Human Food) or Form FDA 3942b (for Animal Food),” explains how to determine if a business can be considered a “qualified facility” and how to submit the FDA form attesting its status.
Draft guidance will be available for public comment for 180 days beginning May 16, 2016. The FDA will consider all comments before completing a final version.
