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FDA finalizes rule to improve food safety during transport

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The FDA today released a final rule that will prevent food contamination during motor or rail vehicle transport, according to a press release. It is the sixth of seven regulations to be finalized under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, which aims to enhance preventive measures averting foodborne illnesses.

The new rule requires those engaged in transporting human and animal food, including shippers, loaders, carriers and receivers, to follow sanitary transportation procedures, such as properly refrigerating food, ensuring vehicles are sufficiently cleaned between loads and protecting food during transportation.

Michael R. Taylor

“Consumers deserve a safe food supply and this final rule will help to ensure that all those involved in the farm-to-fork continuum are doing their part to ensure that the food products that arrive in our grocery stores are safe to eat,” Michael R. Taylor, JD, FDA deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine, said in the release.

The rule, proposed in February 2014, reflects more than 200 comments submitted by the transportation industry, food industry, government regulatory partners, international trading partners, consumer advocates, tribal organizations and others, according to the release. Businesses will be required to adhere to the new regulation 1 year after it is published; smaller businesses have up to 2 years to comply.

“We recognize the importance of education and training in achieving widespread compliance, and we are committed to working with both industry and our government partners to ensure effective implementation of all of the new food safety rules under the Food Safety Modernization Act [(FSMA)],” Taylor said in the release.

The other regulations previously finalized under the FSMA include two rules that require food facilities to implement modern preventive practices in food processing and storage facilities, one rule that institutes science-based food safety standards for large- and small-scale produce farms, and two rules that require international food importers to verify that suppliers meet U.S. domestic safety standards. According to a previous FDA press release, the seventh and final rule is expected to be finalized this year.

Disclosure: Taylor reports no relevant financial disclosures.