Debunking 5 FSVP Myths

By Jennifer McEntire, Ph.D., United Fresh Produce Association

Compared to the training requirements in the Preventive Controls Rule, and certainly in the Produce Safety Rule, the requirement — or even mere suggestion — that someone take a course in order to be able to comply with the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) Rule is non-existent. Why then, has every FSVP training course I’ve taught been sold out?

First, let’s start by dispelling some myths about FSVP:

1. I already have a supplier management program because my auditor/customer requires it, so I’m all set when it comes to FSVP.

I’ve never seen a supplier management program that satisfies the process the FDA lays out in the rule. Existing supplier programs contain elements that are not required by the FDA and miss ones that are required.