Complying with Statutes using Food Industry Software

Over the past month, we have taken a closer look at the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), what it involves, what deadlines it outlines for food manufacturing compliance, and how companies are affected by it. For more information on what the FSMA expects out of businesses your size, visit here. The FSMA is sub-divided into sections that impact different food system areas. Within each area, there are individualized deadlines and schedules. Let’s take a closer look at these areas by exploring statutes pertaining to them that are included in the FSMA.

Statutes within the FSMA

• Traceability- Of all the elements food manufacturing businesses will be impacted by, they will be most greatly affected by the traceability requirements that are listed in the act in the realm of “food defense.” Existing product tracking requirements are expected to drastically expand once this element is fully defined within the act. In the future, the current requirement of tracing one step in both directions (forward and back) will likely be significantly modified. Even though the defined requirements are yet to be complete, it is important to consider implementing food industry software that will help in creating more accurate and efficient tracking procedures. In order to meet transparency requirements, this should take place along the entire supply chain.
• Preventive Controls- The idea behind this element is mandating strong food safety plans throughout the food industry. Facility registrations are already mandated throughout the industry, but this is only a starting point of preventive control rules. Next up will be creating food safety plans and dealing with hazard analysis. These statutes will be determined by the end of the year, and compliance will be expected by the end of next year (2016). Again, being prepared by implementing food industry software can be beneficial because hazard analysis and expanded food safety plans will demand the use of it.
• Verification Programs for Foreign Suppliers- This element of the act requires stringent quality and safety checks on imported products. The Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) will greatly expand existing required verifications to include more record keeping and extensive verification of proper supplier conduct. The Food and Drug Administration will even be requiring current supplier lists that can be furnished to them at any time. In addition, food manufacturing companies will be required to verify supplier hazard analysis practices and a variety of other checks to be performed.

In order to comply with these statutes and the many others detailed in the FSMA, your company will need food industry software and a renewed emphasis on record keeping, transparency, assessment of risk, and food safety. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software can be of significant assistance in these areas. ERP for food manufacturers allows your business to keep these records well and leads to increased transparency. In addition, ERP for food manufacturers helps with a variety of business functions and supports.

Sage EM (formerly known as Sage X3) is one example that can help your business track suppliers, lots, and processes and easily provide essential documentation to everyone who needs access. For more information about Sage EM (formerly known as Sage X3), visit here. For further information about food manufacturing regulations and compliance, contact us.

Our small and dedicated team specializes in helping small-to-medium size Canadian businesses and non-profits select and adapt Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Human Resource Management (HRMS) and IT services. With IWI’s 15 years in business and 100 plus years of combined experience, IWI has helped hundreds of manufacturing, distribution, and financial service companies gain efficiency, grow, and lower their operating costs.

With the unique combination of industry knowledge and diverse technology expertise, IWI provides cost-effective solutions to help clients gain a competitive edge. As a Sage business partner, servicing the Greater Toronto Area, we support evaluation and implementation of operations and finance systems to optimize technology, ensuring high return on investment with a quick and painless transition to new software.