The organization once known simply as "3-A" is distinguished by a remarkable history of serving the public health through the development of standards for the advancement of food sanitation and hygiene. The first 3-A Sanitary Standards were developed in the late 1920s through the cooperative efforts of the International Association of Food Industry Suppliers (IAFIS)*, the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) and the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF).

Over time, the structure of 3-A expanded to encompass a broader group of processors, equipment manufacturers and sanitarians in step with the changing structure of the industry. In 1944, the modern 3-A program was established through the formation of the Dairy Industry Committee, consisting of five national dairy processor groups and one supplier association: The American Butter Institute, American Dairy Products Institute, IAFIS, International Ice Cream Association, MIF, and the National Cheese Institute. It was also in 1944 that the U.S. Public Health Service committed to full cooperation with the 3-A program. The interests of dairy cooperatives were integrated into 3-A in 1996 with the Farm Industry Committee, established by the National Milk Producers Federation.

An exciting new era in the history of 3-A began in late 2002 with the incorporation of 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. (3-A SSI). The five Founding Members include the American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI), the International Association of Food Industry Suppliers (IAFIS) the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP), the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), and the 3-A Sanitary Standards Symbol Administrative Council. Along with the Founding Members, the leadership of 3-A SSI includes the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the 3-A Steering Committee.

The mission and the goals of the new nonprofit organization reflect many elements of the historic 3-A program, including the development of voluntary standards and accepted practices. The new 3-A SSI maintains many significant added responsibilities, including oversight of the 3-A Symbol used to identify equipment manufactured to 3-A Sanitary Standards. Under the direction of 3-A SSI, a new program was launched in 2003 to enhance the recognition of the 3-A Symbol with a new Third Party Verification (TPV) program.

*IAFIS is now the Food Processing Suppliers Association.

Yesterday and today, the mission of 3-A SSI is to enhance product safety for consumers of food, beverages, and pharmaceutical products through the development and use of 3-A Sanitary Standards and 3-A Accepted Practices.

The leadership of 3-A SSI established comprehensive objectives to enhance the positive role and the visibility of 3-A SSI. These objectives include:

• Develop, maintain and publish uniform standards and practices for the sanitary (hygienic) design, fabrication, installation and operation of equipment and machinery.
• Use state-of-the-art, science-based expertise for the development of sanitary standards and accepted practices.
• Harmonize with global standards and guidelines as appropriate.
• Promote the use of 3-A Sanitary Standards, 3-A Accepted Practices, and the 3-A Symbol.
• Authorize use and maintain the integrity of the 3-A Symbol.
• Maintain a uniform system to regulate and enforce proper use of the 3-A Symbol to best enhance consumer product safety.
• Provide education concerning sanitary design principles, application of 3-A Sanitary Standards, 3-A Accepted Practices, and use of the 3-A Symbol.

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