FDA Third-Party Certification Plan Raises Concerns

While the fresh produce industry sees potential benefits in a proposed Food and Drug Administration-approved voluntary third party certification program, the likely loss of confidentiality between third-party auditors and the food companies they audit is troubling to many.

Confidential information between third party certification programs and their clients may be lost if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues with a plan to outsource part of its food safety oversight responsibilities to third party inspectors, industry leaders told the FDA this month in letters, faxes and e-mails.

The FDA issued draft guidance — a prelude to a formal proposal — July on a voluntary third party certification program that would allow private companies and other agencies of government to vouch that fresh produce and other foods meets FDA standards.

“If things are done right, it could be very beneficial,” said Kathy Means, vice president of government relations for the Newark, Del-based Produce Marketing Association.

David Gombas, senior vice president of food safety and technology for the United Fresh Produce Association, Washington, D.C., said in May that an FDA-accepted third party certification program would be of “significant value” to the fresh produce industry if all parties accept the FDA-recognized certification.

However, during a comment period on the FDA’s proposal, which ended Sept. 8, one of the common themes from the industry was concern about the confidential relationship between third party certification programs and food companies.

Source: The Packer