Officials of the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE), the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG); the Ministry of Economy Industry and Commerce (MEIC), and of the private company (LAPINA) were trained so that they could conduct training and education programs to comply with the preventive controls of foods for human consumption in accordance with the requirements established in the regulation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) to export to the United States market.
The sectors that produce, process, and export food to the United States are interested in learning and getting ready for the FSMA, which was promulgated on January 4, 2011, before mandatory compliance becomes effective. It's necessary to understand the Law, its rules and requirements, stated Pedro Sanchez, an SFE official.
The commitment to the US Food and Drug Administration is to share their knowledge with producers, packers, exporters, technicians, and professionals in agricultural and food sciences so that they become Qualified Individuals in Preventive Controls in Foods for Humans.
The first training in the country, which lasted 4 days, took place in May, and it was aimed at producers, packers, and exporters of squash from the Valley of Ujarras, in Paraiso de Cartago. Another similar training course was held last week at the College of Agricultural Engineers, and it was aimed at industry and professionals in agricultural and food sciences. There will be another training program in August. This time, it's for producers, packers and exporters of squash and Coyote coriander, as well as technicians and professionals.
"The trainings have been very successful. The trained individuals will be able to supervise the preparation of a food safety plan; validate preventive controls; evaluate records, and supervise new food safety analyzes," said Sanchez.
This training program is part of the assistance provided by the FDA, through the Alliance of Preventive Controls for Food Safety, in order to facilitate compliance with the Law.