Since its introduction, the Food Safety Modernization Act has been discussed, written about and portrayed ad infinitum, often out of any sensible context to the actual realities of importing and manufacturing. Hyperbole aside, what does it really mean for you and your company?

With this timely audio conference presentation, former FDA veteran Benjamin England brings a much-needed reality check to the FSMA conversation. The presentation looks at what FSMA implementation this year will likely consist of, and what specific issues are likely to arise based on these new rules in a real-world context. For manufacturers, companies and distributors this means valuable insight into which changes should be of concern, what can safely be ignored, what they can expect in the coming months, and how best to prepare. Mr. England devotes special attention to the implementation dates for 2012, and provides attendees with an opportunity to ask questions specific to their situation.

This audio conference covers:

• A review of FSMA 2012 implementation dates
• Understanding the breakdown between FSMA (the laws) and FSMA (the reality)
• The most urgent measures your company should be taking right now
• When to expect big changes, and what is just 'talk'
• How to guide your company boldly into 2013 without any surprises

About the speaker:

Benjamin L. England, Esq. is is founder and CEO of FDAImports.com, and assists domestic and foreign companies of all sizes in identifying USDA, FDA, FTC, EPA and state requirements. Previously, he spent 17 years at FDA, most recently as Regulatory Counsel to the Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs. Before this, he served in scientific, inspectional, compliance and criminal and civil enforcement capacities as an FDA Consumer Safety Officer, Compliance Officer, Senior Special Agent with the Office of Criminal Investigations and an analytical regulatory microbiologist.

During his last three years at FDA, Mr. England spearheaded the agency’s integration efforts with Customs and USDA on crosscutting interagency enforcement and operational issues; served as the FDA’s point-person in managing the intersection of imports and FDA’s new bioterrorism regulations; established joint agency and industry working groups to evaluate counterfeiting and tampering risks to food and drug distribution supply chains; was the agency lead in its strategic planning efforts to reinvent the FDA’s import programs; wrote the initial statement of work and acted as program manager over the FDA’s new risk-based electronic entry screening system; and directed the development of the FDA’s agency-wide risk-based Import strategic plan designed to improve compliance of foods, dietary supplements, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, and biological products imported into the U.S.

Who should attend:

• Food & beverage industry executives
• Regulatory compliance managers and directors
• Distributors and manufacturers
• Customs brokers