The Independent Bakers Association (IBA), Washington, D.C., is preparing a comment regarding the following two new proposed rules under the authority of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA):

• Preventive Controls for Human Food: Current Good Manufacturing Practice; Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food

• Produce: Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption

An overview of the proposed rules can be found at the IBA website. IBA requests contributions, suggestions and concerns from IBA Members. The proposed rules require operations that manufacture, process and package food items to develop food-safety plans tailored to the specific risks of the products and facilities as assessed by the facility. In addition, processors must monitor supply chains, possibly extending as far as to foreign imports.

The proposals set up significant record keeping and regulation for businesses, according to IBA. It adds that there are a few exceptions to the requirements, such as warehouses, but the language is ambiguous and broad.

For more information about the proposed rule, contact IBA at 202-333-8190 or independentbaker@yahoo.com, or visit its website. The submission deadline for comments is May 16.