ASTA's Clean, Safe Spices Guidance recommends that allspice companies develop and implement an environmental monitoring program. FSMA has underscored the need to do so. The series features Dr. James Dickson and attorney Maile Hermida for a 90-minute webinar to learn how to develop an FSMA-ready program and understand the related legal issues. Dr. Dickson provides details on what the key elements of a comprehensive environmental monitoring program are and gives advice on how to develop a program that is tailored to a spice facility. Ms. Hermida provides insight in FSMA requirements and FDA’s expectations for RTE foods, as well as the legal liability’s companies face related to environmental monitoring.

The ASTA FSMA Decision Tree was designed to assist ASTA members in evaluating their obligations under the five foundational FSMA rules that are likely apply to spice companies: Preventive Controls in Human Food, the Produce Safety Rule, the Sanitary Food Transportation Rule, the Foreign Supplier Verification Program and the Intentional Adulteration rule. The Decision Tree guides users through a series of questions about their operations to help determine which FSMA rules could apply. It also provides an overview of each rule’s requirements, depending on the nature of the company’s operations. "ASTA Webinar on the Food Safety Modernization Act Decision Tree was presented by Jessica O’Connell, a member of Covington & Burling’s food and drug practice group in Washington, DC. The ASTA Government Relations and Advocacy Committee worked with Jessica to design and develop this new tool. During this 90-minute webinar, Jessica demonstrates how the Decision Tree can be used to navigate the complex framework of FSMA regulations.