This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it has recognized Brea, CA-based International Accreditation Services (IAS) as an accreditation body under the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program for a period of 5 years.

IAS has been recognized because it meets the applicable FDA requirements, validated through application review and on-site assessment.

Accreditation bodies recognized by FDA will have the authority to accredit third-party certification bodies, also known as third-party auditors. These certification bodies, once accredited, can conduct food safety audits and issue certifications of foreign food facilities (including farms) and the foods – both human and animal – that they produce. Those certifications can be used by importers to establish eligibility for participation in the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program, and in certain circumstances, FDA can require that imported products be certified before entering the United States.

IAS is being recognized as having the authority to accredit certification bodies with the ability to conduct food safety audits as they pertain to the following regulations:

  • Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls (HARPC) for Human Food (Preventive Controls for Human Food rule)
  • Current Good Manufacturing Practice, HARPC for Animal Food (Preventive Controls for Animal Food rule)
  • Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption (Produce Safety Rule)
  • Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems (Juice HACCP)
  • Fish and Fishery Products (Seafood HACCP)
  • Thermally Processed Low-Acid Foods Packaged in Hermetically Sealed Containers (LACF)
  • Acidified Foods

For more information, read up on FDA's Accredited Third-Party Certification Program, the FSMA Final Rule on Accredited Third-Party Certification, and see the Public Registry of Accreditation Bodies 

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Author(s): Staff