Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

What is a key focus of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)?

1. Reducing pesticide usage in crops

2. Preventing food contamination

3. Increasing pesticide applicator certification

4. Enhancing transportation safety of hazardous materials

The correct answer is: Preventing food contamination

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is primarily focused on preventing food contamination throughout the food supply chain. This legislative framework emphasizes proactive measures to ensure food safety rather than reactive responses to foodborne illnesses and contamination incidents. The FSMA established new standards for food handling, including requirements for food facilities, produce safety, and the prevention of contamination during various stages of production and distribution. Fundamentally, the FSMA aims to shift the focus of food safety from responding to foodborne illness outbreaks to preventing them in the first place. This involves not only setting forth regulations for hygiene and safety practices in food production but also emphasizing the importance of risk assessments and preventive controls across the entire food supply chain. In contrast, while reducing pesticide usage, increasing pesticide applicator certification, and enhancing transportation safety may be relevant to various aspects of agricultural safety and environmental health, they do not directly encompass the central goals of the FSMA, which is firmly entrenched in enhancing food safety through prevention strategies.