FDA In Brief: FDA to launch pilot to improve efficiency of inspections at dairy processing facilities under FSMA

For Immediate Release: Nov. 1, 2017

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"When it comes to the FDA’s milk inspection protocols, the agency is seeking additional ways to maximize state and federal resources and create greater efficiency through its obligations under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. We hope that consolidating multiple inspections into one visit will make it easier for the dairy industry to meet federal requirements,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “We believe there’s more opportunity for FDA and state regulators to better coordinate oversight efforts of the dairy industry, making the process more efficient while maintaining the high safety of the U.S. milk supply."

Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it will initiate a pilot program that will leverage resources by consolidating inspection personnel for compliance evaluations at dairy processing facilities for both non-Grade A and Grade A milk and milk products. Currently, the FDA (or state officials under FDA contract) conduct separate inspections for non-Grade A milk/milk products and Grade A milk/milk products at dairy facilities producing both non-Grade A and Grade A milk and associated products (e.g. cheese, ice cream). This can result in multiple regulatory visits by multiple state and federal regulators.

The pilot program, which will launch next year, will allow the FDA to conduct both non-Grade A and Grade A milk and milk products inspections at the same time. The pilot will allow the FDA to evaluate whether the consolidation of two different FDA activities, which are each maintained separately and under two different regulatory mechanisms, is feasible and appropriate. The FDA will work with stakeholders to select several states that will participate in the pilot and will announce more details in the coming months.

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The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

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