FDA sugar house registration

[red maples]

There is quite alot of speculation of this whole thing if you get the maple news there a very good article on this subject. Even the big producers aren''t really sure whats going to happen but they are getting ready for what ever may be coming our way.

A few quotes that I see from the article,

(maple news) Judith McGreary, director of the farm and ranch freedon alliance says: her understanding of the FSMA is that small scale producers would be exempt who both 1) make less than $.5 million adjusted gross income annually and 2) sell more than 1/2 of there product to qualified end users(direct to consumer retail, restantants, in state retailers or retailers with in 250 mile radius of the producer). Internet sales would included as a direct sale as its easy to track.

The FSMA(food safety modernization act) is not written yet. So know one really knows what to expect. Thats why so many farmers were against it because it was signed into law basically as a blank check kinda *** backwards!!! So they can write anything they want to into the act.

(maple news)Basically what they are saying it will include 5 key points, preventive controls, inspection and compliance, imported food safety, response(mandatory recall authority for the FDA)and enhanced partenership amoung the US a foriegn food safety organizations.

I still need to learn what is required for the FDA but again this is really unclear as to the size of the operation that needs to comply with registering your sugarhouse with the FDA. Its a good idea for all of us to try our very best to meet these standards anyway as it looks good with customers, and covers your butt incase of any inspection. and you need to have a paper trail. in some form a bar code system is nice but not economical for a small producer. Supermarkets require it. but a sharpie and a piece of paper works just fine. I have a hose at this point form the house but my house is only 200 ft away? Its coming.... in my opinion its best to plan for it over the next few years just to be on the safe side.

[Bucket Head]

Possibly a dumb question; All states are required to register by the 31st, or only Vermont and Wisconsin are required at the moment? I did'nt see anyone from other states chiming in. If my state Assn. "reminded" everyone to register, I must have missed it.

Does anyone know of a producer that was forced to cease operations from this? If so, what requirement(s) could not be met?

Steve

[NH Maplemaker]

Were can we find the requirements? I went to the USDA web page and FORGET IT! You could read that all day long and not find what you are looking for. Also wondering how maney here have registered? I really don't know what to do! But time maybe running out, or maybe not.

[DrTimPerkins]

Were can we find the requirements? I went to the USDA web page and FORGET IT!

Information on the FDA/FSMA can be found at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/F...14178.htm#FAQs

I suggest you contact your state association if you have questions. The Vermont association is encouraging maple producers to register. The text of the message in the VMSMA email newsletter follows:

URGENT: FDA Food Facility Registrations Due
The Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA), signed into law in early 2011, aims to protect the American food supply through regulations that prevent contamination rather than responding to it. Under the old Bioterrorism Act, many maple sugar makers were exempt from registering their facility with the FDA. However, that law has been superseded by the FSMA and the way the regulation impacts the maple industry has changed.
All maple sugar facilities that process and/or package a food product must register with the FDA. The FDA makes the distinction that any sugar maker who collects and boils sap is undertaking the step of processing sap and therefore must register. The system for registering has changed to a biennial registration; in order to conform all registrations must be updated and submitted to FDA by 12/31/2012. For more information or to register, please check out the Food Safety and Modernization Act page here http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/F...14178.htm#FAQs or contact VMSMA at XXX-XXX-XXXX.

[DrTimPerkins]

Were can we find the requirements? I went to the USDA web page and FORGET IT!

It is not the USDA. It is the FDA, which is a branch of the U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services. Website is: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/F...14178.htm#FAQs

[NH Maplemaker]

It is not the USDA. It is the FDA, which is a branch of the U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services. Website is: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/F...14178.htm#FAQs

Thank you for that clarification. Just wrong choice of Letters on my part! That is the web page I was on. There is alot of explanations ,But I don't find the registration form that can be filled out.
Thanks again

[happy thoughts]

Thank you for that clarification. Just wrong choice of Letters on my part! That is the web page I was on. There is alot of explanations ,But I don't find the registration form that can be filled out.
Thanks again

Of course you can't find it. What else do you expect from a federally mandated program?

It took me a while to find it but look here... you need to create an account and log in.
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComp...es/default.htm

[DrTimPerkins]

... I don't find the registration form that can be filled out.

It is part-way down that page. Section IC.3.5.

IC.3.5 What form do I use to renew a food facility registration?
Registrants must use Form 3537 to register, update, or renew a registration. Facilities may register online via the Internet at www.fda.gov/furls, which operates during business hours from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm U.S. Eastern Time. Facilities may also register by mail or fax or for multiple submissions, by CD-ROM.

Registration by Paper (Mail or FAX) or CD-ROM4

Step by Step Instructions

[Sunday Rock Maple]

I just went to the link and did it --- took about 15 minutes.

[MapleChaser]

Thanks Dr. Perkins for the on line link to register very easy to do.
MC