The FDA
recently issued final rules
under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) setting new requirements for the
sanitary transportation of human and animal food.
As
explained in this FDA fact sheet,
the rules generally apply to shippers, receivers, loaders, and carriers who
transport food in the U.S. by motor or rail vehicle. They also apply to
shippers from other countries who ship food to the U.S. for distribution here.
There are certain exemptions, such as for small companies and transportation by
farms. The rules do not apply to transportation by ship or air.
The rules
set requirements for vehicles and transportation equipment, operations,
records, training, and waivers. Businesses subject to the rules have one or two
years to comply, depending on their size.
For
example, the rules require:
- vehicles and transportation equipment to be
suitable and adequately cleanable for its intended use and capable of
maintaining temperatures necessary to safely transport food;
- specified safety measures, such as temperature
controls and protecting food from contamination; and
- training of carrier personnel when the carrier and shipper agree that the carrier is responsible to maintain sanitary conditions during transport.
The FDA
intends to publish waivers, under certain conditions, for companies who are:
- subject to inspection under the Grade “A” Milk
Safety program or
- food establishments with valid permits issued by a
state or tribal agency (such as restaurants or supermarkets), for
operations in which food is relinquished to customers after transport.
