3A 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 3A Sanitary Standards were developed in the late 1920s by the International Association of Food Industry Suppliers (IAFIS), International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) and the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF).
3A began in late 2002 with the creation of 3A Sanitary Standards, Inc. (3A-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 3A SSI includes the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the 3A Steering Committee.