FEMA Member
FISA has been a proud member of FEMA (Flavor Extract Manufacturer’s Association) since 2007. Each of our departments utilize all FEMA resources to ensure we are up to speed on the latest industry regulatory and safety issues. Our membership has proven to be extremely valuable for not only our internal operations, but for our customers as well. Is your flavor supplier a FEMA member? For more information on FEMA, please visit www.femaflavor.org.
FEMA’s most important activities include:
Safety Evaluation
FEMA’s scientific programs are designed to ensure the continued availability of safe flavoring substances. They include the collection and analysis of data pertinent to safety evaluation, development of safety criteria, and the conduct of appropriate scientific studies necessary to determine or verify ingredient safety. Much of this information is available to members from a computerized database, and is published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature.
The FEMA GRAS™ List
FEMA has developed an innovative program utilizing the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) concept to evaluate the safety of flavoring substances. The independent FEMA Expert Panel determines the GRAS status of flavoring substances resulting in a GRAS list of over 2,500 ingredients for use by the industry. The Expert Panel periodically reviews the status of substances and provides an opportunity for the introduction of new flavoring substances. The FEMA GRAS™ program is the longest-running and most successful industry GRAS program and continues to gain increasing acceptance worldwide.
Government Relations
FEMA responds to legislative and regulatory activities on the federal, state and international levels affecting the manufacturing, labeling, and use of flavors and flavoring substances. FEMA’s regulatory program represents members’ interest in laws and regulations involving taxes, trade secret protection, workplace safety, environmental protection, and product safety. In proactively representing the industry’s interests, FEMA seeks to avoid the imposition of unreasonable restraints and burdens on the industry, while protecting the public interest.
Intellectual Property
FEMA is constantly alert to proposals, both within the United States and internationally, which could infringe on its members’ rights to protect their valuable intellectual property. FEMA acts promptly to preserve those rights.
Specifications
FEMA participates in the development and review of specifications for flavoring substances for publication in the Food Chemicals Codex and for use by international organizations. It also participates in a U.S. Technical Advisory Group which helps develop and review ISO Standards for essential oils.
International Regulations
FEMA supports the harmonization of U.S. and foreign regulations involving the manufacture, use, and labeling of flavors throughout the world.
Membership Meetings
Annual meetings provide the opportunity for members to be updated on important issues and exchange information among themselves. Workshops on regulatory, scientific and consumer product developments help educate members and provide assistance with compliance requirements.
Flavor Labeling
FEMA closely monitors and addresses proposed changes in federal and state laws and regulations affecting flavor labeling. FEMA urges and promotes compliance with labeling laws and regulations through programs, workshops and publications.
