FOOD SAFETY MODERNIZATION ACT (FSMA) FOR DIRECT MARKETERS FACTSHEET

by Wythe Morris, ANR Agent (retired)

Although the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was passed and signed into law on January 4, 2011, the new program will take several years to roll out; even longer to become fully effective. Direct Marketers have asked many questions as to how this will affect their small business enterprises. In addition to FSMA, the Tester-Hagan Amendment, S.510, was passed. This amendment was designed to relieve smaller direct marketers from the burden of required audits and GAP Certification based on pre-qualification. The intent of this factsheet is to help to answer the many questions that have come about as a result of the new law and amendment.