Food Safety & FDA Compliance Consultant

Food safety compliance consultants help food manufacturers, processors, restaurants, and retailers comply with FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), USDA, and state food safety regulations.

With foodborne illness outbreaks creating multi-million dollar liabilities and regulatory violations resulting in recalls and shutdowns, food businesses pay $8,000-$75,000 annually for food safety support, generating consultant revenue of $110,000-$320,000 annually with profit margins of 55-65%.

The role requires food science or related background, HACCP certification, and often PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification.

Consultants typically charge $125-$275 per hour or project fees for facility assessments and program development.

Services include HACCP plan development, FSMA compliance programs, facility inspections and audits, supplier verification programs, food safety training, recall preparation, and third-party audit preparation (SQF, BRC).

Many consultants specialize in specific sectors like beverage, produce, or meat processing.

Success factors include technical food safety knowledge, practical manufacturing experience, and ability to work with diverse facility staff.

The practice requires staying current with FDA guidance and industry best practices.

Marketing focuses on food industry associations, trade shows, and partnerships with food brokers and manufacturers.

With food safety regulations strengthening in 2025 and consumer expectations for safe food increasing, food safety compliance offers stable opportunities for consultants passionate about protecting public health while helping food businesses thrive.