Stephanie Lopez, vice-president for food safety services at AIB International. |
AIB International’s standards for inspection describe key requirements that food facilities must meet to prove their food safety standards conform to Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations. The updated standards will also guide AIB’s own GMP Inspection, FS 360 and Inspection Only services. The 10 standards are tailored to specific industry segments. Among the new aspects are concepts such as food fraud and supply chain control.
The group announced a two-year plan to update its standards. Those dealing with inspection prerequisites and food safety programs were the first to be released in 2016 for implementation in 2017. The others will concern beverage facilities, food distribution centers, food contact packaging manufacturing facilities and nonfood contact packaging manufacturing facilities.
The five to be updated in 2017 and implemented in 2018 are inspection standards for agricultural crops, fresh-cut produce, fresh produce and fruit packing houses, grain handling facilities and retail facilities.
“We have prepared a free webinar and change document to explain the changes our clients will need to implement as they prepare for their next inspection,” said Elina Zerva, global innovation manager.