FSMA Deskside Manual

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law in 2011. The FSMA has given the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) new authorities to regulate the way foods are grown, harvested and processed. While wine is a low-risk product for food safety, there are sections of FSMA that impact both wineries and vineyards.

Under FSMA wineries must adhere to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) to ensure that wine is produced, handled, and housed in a safe and sanitary manner. The cGMPs outline standards for personnel, plants and grounds, sanitary operations, sanitary facilities and controls, equipment and utensils, processes and controls, as well as warehousing and distribution.

Most wineries will likely be exempt from subparts C (Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventative Control Plan) and G (Supply Chain Program) of the regulation. However, wineries are not exempt from Subpart A (General provisions), Subpart B (Current Good Manufacturing Practices), and Subpart F (Record Keeping).

To view the FSMA regulation, please click here.

To view FDA information on FSMA, please click here.