The Law of the Foreign Supplier Verification Program Rule

Course Code: FSC 851

Credits: 3 credits

This course provides students with the knowledge and understanding to implement the requirements of the “Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) for Importers of Food for Humans and Animals” regulation of the 2011 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The course materials provide an understanding of the key requirements for the development and implementation of an FSVP. Record keeping systems are emphasized that meet the regulatory requirements to import foods into the USA. Our course has an administrative overtone, providing an understanding of the legislative and regulatory processes through an in-depth look at the relationship between the FDA, industry, consumer interest groups, and scientific communities.

The learning objectives of this course are to enable students to:

Summarize the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and to understand why it was introduced.
Understand the history and development of FDA’s Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) Rule.
Discuss the major provisions of the FSVP Rule.
Analyze problems, barriers, and factors affecting FSVP implementation.
Examine the current issues in food import law focusing on the FSVP Rule.
Identify implementable record keeping requirements.
Evaluate FDA’s limitations under FSMA and the FSVP.
Recognize the critical role laws and regulations play in protecting import food.
Explore the intersection of science and law in relation to import food safety.
Define the future challenges and opportunities impacting FSVP.

The course syllabus is subject to change each semester but generally covers the following topics:

Overview of FSMA
The FSVP process
FSVP requirement overview
Who must comply?
How to develop and implement a FSVP plan
Preventive controls and the Produce Safety Rule
Foods that cannot be consumed without control of hazards
Foods whose hazards are controlled after importation
Corrective actions and investigations
Importer identification at entry
Foreign supplier performance, food risk, and corrective actions
Record keeping
FDA oversight
Dietary Supplements
US importers of Canadian foods
Very small importers and food from certain small suppliers
Analysis of economic and environmental impact
Understanding the changing landscape of FSVP regulations
Countries with comparable or equivalent safety systems
Compliance dates
Executive Order 13175
Best practices for compliance with FSVP regulations

Schedule:

This course is offered in the first half of the summer semester of even-numbered years only (mid-May to late June).

Tips for first time enrollees:

Here is the direct link to apply: https://explore.msu.edu/apply/

Make sure you choose “first-time user” and then “NON-DEGREE” from the dropdown. There is no application fee for our program, so if you get to an area where it asks you to pay an application fee, then you are not in the correct process. Also, DO NOT CLICK THE BOX that asks if you are going to be taking classes in the global food law program. That question is referring to courses through the College of Law and saying “yes” to that question will only delay your application processing."

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