Food Safety Modernization Act Information

​​The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is the first major reform of our food safety laws in more than 70 years and was signed into law by President Obama on January 4th, 2011. It aims to ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting focus from responding to contamination to preventing it. 

FSMA authorizes the FDA with new powers to prevent food safety problems, detect and respond to food safety issues, and improve the safety of imported foods. The new regulations focus on addressing food safety risks from microbial pathogens such as Salmonella, E.coli O157:H7, and Shigella. FSMA does not address food safety risks from genetically engineered crops, pesticide use, or antibiotic resistance. FSMA focuses on requiring the FDA to establish new regulation for standards for produce production and food safety measures for facilities that process food for human consumption. 

November 16, 2017. Presque Isle, ME. Central Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District. (207) 740-4609 ext 3

​January 18, 2018. Penobscot County Cooperative Extension. 307 Maine Ave. Bangor, ME 04401. Penobscot County Soil and Water Conservation District. (207) 990-3676 ext 3.

​March 27, 2018. Portland Water District Nixon Development Center. 225 Douglass St. Portland, ME 04104. Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District. (207) 892-4700

Links to additional information:

• Am I affected by new food safety rules under the Food Safety Modernization Act? A Flowchart for Farmers and Food Businesses​

• ​Final Rule on Produce Safety

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• University of Maine Cooperative Extension Food Safety Page

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• ​Food and Drug Administration Guidance and Regulation- Food Safety Modernization Act

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• Full Text of the Law- FDA Food Safety Modernization Act