FSPCA Annual Conference - Preventive Controls for Human Foods and other Updates

The Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance, or FSPCA, is the FDA funded alliance charged with the development of training programs to support companies achieve FSMA compliance though the development of their Food Safety Plans (PCHF or PCAF), Foreign Supplier Verification Program, and Plan to prevent intentional adulteration (IA rule).  The FSPCA had their annual conference this week where discussions were held on programmatic issues as well as compliance to the regulations as determined by FDA

What were my takeaways from this conference?

• FDA inspections have slowed during COVID, but they look to pick back up as soon as they can.  Companies must continue to achieve compliance and not be lulled into inaction because there has not been many inspections.
• A large percentage of FSVP audits have found that importers do not have plans at all.  Many of the audits had been conducted virtually, and the plan is to continue to reach more importers.  Being virtual, FSVP audits are not impacted by COVID as much.
• FDA will continue to conduct facility audits for Food Safety Plans with a focus on mission critical inspections (for cause).  GMP inspections will also be continue to be conducted and comprise a high percentage of the number of audits conducted by FDA for food facilities.
• Portions of the audits may be conducted virtually/remotely. 
• For IA (Food Defense), there have not been any audits, but FDA is looking to ramp up evaluation, and this will probably be done as part of other audits.  The key here is to make sure that companies continue to develop their programs.
• Finally, the PCHF curriculum is undergoing an update. Look for this (hopefully) in 2022.