Jamaica's JANAAC earns FDA recognition for food safety program
Key Points(5)
- On February 26, the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC), operating under the Ministry of Industry, Investment, and Commerce, achieved a significant milestone by gaining recognition from the U.S.
- Food and Drug Administration for its Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) Program.
- The primary aim of the LAAF program is to enhance the quality and reliability of food testing and reporting, thereby safeguarding the U.S.
- The program operates with harmonized standards, with participating laboratories and accreditation bodies subject to FDA oversight.
- Sharonmae Shirley, CEO of JANAAC, expressed pride in the achievement, emphasizing the dedication and expertise of the team.
On February 26, the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC), operating under the Ministry of Industry, Investment, and Commerce, achieved a significant milestone by gaining recognition from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) Program.
This recognition is pivotal as it aligns with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), setting forth standards for food testing by an LAAF-accredited laboratory under specific circumstances, such as supporting the removal of a food from an import alert or addressing identified or suspected food safety issues in accordance with existing FDA regulations.
The primary aim of the LAAF program is to enhance the quality and reliability of food testing and reporting, thereby safeguarding the U.S. food supply. The program operates with harmonized standards, with participating laboratories and accreditation bodies subject to FDA oversight.
JANAAC's inclusion in the FDA's Public Registry Listing of Recognized Accreditation Bodies is a prestigious recognition, as it is one of only eight recognized Accreditation Bodies (ABs) globally and the sole AB in the Caribbean authorized to accredit food testing laboratories according to LAAF final rule standards.
Sharonmae Shirley, CEO of JANAAC, expressed pride in the achievement, emphasizing the dedication and expertise of the team. She highlighted the organization's commitment to excellence, its leadership in the accreditation industry, and its role in promoting trade and ensuring public health and safety. JANAAC plans to unveil its LAAF Accreditation Program and invites laboratories to join its network of LAAF-Accredited labs to support local and regional producers and manufacturers in accessing the lucrative US market.
Furthermore, laboratories accredited by JANAAC will be listed in the FDA database of LAAF-Accredited Laboratories, along with their testing scopes, providing added credibility.
Senator Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), commended JANAAC for its achievement, recognizing its pivotal role in supporting exports, promoting public health, and enhancing Jamaica's global standing in excellence.
As the only internationally recognized accreditation body in the English-speaking Caribbean, JANAAC provides technical training and accreditation services to laboratories, inspection, and certification bodies across eleven CARICOM states.
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