Free FSMA Webinar Series

3M Food Safety, in partnership with The Acheson Group, has announced its next free webinar on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), occurring March 21. The event is part of a larger, monthly series that provides food processors clearer understanding of compliance requirements, including how they can manage and possibly reduce operational, regulatory and reputational risks. Individuals are encouraged to attend the entire series to learn about the details and implications of FSMA, although each webinar will be available as a standalone education module.

FSMA is the most extensive reform of food safety laws in the United States in more than 70 years. It was signed into law in 2011, but the first phase of final rules only recently took effect. Those rules, totaling 1,600 pages, include provisions relevant to the entire global food supply chain, from growers and processors to point of sale. They include requirements to maintain food safety plans, perform hazard analysis, institutionalize, monitor and verify the effectiveness of preventive controls for mitigating those hazards, take corrective actions and keep appropriate records.

Upcoming dates and topics include:

• March 21 – FSMA: How to Build an Environmental Monitoring Program. (Register here)
• April 5 – Preventive Controls for Human Food – What Does This Mean to Those Making Food for Animals?
• May 3 – Foreign Supplier Verification Plan (FSVP) rule – Do I Need to Comply? If not – Who does?

The series is hosted by John Wadie, 3M Food Safety U.S. marketing development manager. With over 30 years of food safety experience, Wadie is a recognized authority on food quality and safety issues, having witnessed dramatic changes due to globalization, changing diets and increased consumer awareness and concern for the issue.  “This webinar series is addressing many questions and concerns food processors have about FSMA and how to best address them to ensure compliance with the new regulations,” said Wadie.

Rolando Gonzalez, senior director of scientific and technical affairs with The Acheson Group will present. Prior to joining the Acheson Group, Rolando held technical and thought leadership roles at major national and global companies including Target Corporation, Bühler AG and 3M.  Rolando brings over a decade of practical food safety and quality management experience across a broad variety of food platforms spanning from perishables to dry and low moisture foods, with primary focus on risk mitigation and brand protection.