The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) established the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program, also referred to as the Third-Party Program (TPP).  The voluntary TPP allows accreditation bodies (ABs) to apply for recognition by FDA. Recognized ABs have the authority to accredit certification bodies (CBs), otherwise known as third-party auditors. In turn, the CBs (1) conduct consultative and/or regulatory food safety audits and (2) issue certifications to eligible entities that produce food for humans and animals. FDA can require certification as a condition of entry for imported food products in limited circumstances when specific, risk-based criteria are met. Importers can use a certification to establish eligibility to participate in the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP).

In a June 24, 2022 Constituent Update, FDA announced that it has recognized Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC), as an AB under the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program for a period of five years.  JANAAC joins three other ABs that are currently recognized in various scopes of accreditation, i.e., ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), Thailand’s National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS), and International Accreditation Services (IAS).  FDA has recognized JANAAC as having the authority to accredit CBs with the ability to conduct food safety audits under ten of the eleven possible scopes of accreditation:

• Acidified Foods (AF)

• Dietary Supplements

• Juice Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (Juice HACCP)

• Low-Acid Canned Foods (LACF)

• Medicated Feed Current Good Manufacturing Practices (Medicated Feed CGMPs)

• Preventive Controls for Animal Food (PCAF)

• Preventive Controls for Human Food (PCHF)

• Produce Safety

• Seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (Seafood HACCP)

• Shell Eggs

JANACC is the only recognized AB whose scope of authority includes Medicated Feed CGMPs and Shell Eggs.  No AB is yet recognized with the authority to accredit CBs with the ability to conduct safety audits for Infant Formula.