SGS Provides Update on New FSMA Proposed Rule on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food

Fairfield, NJ, March 21, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Food Sanitary Transportation under Food Safety Act

This proposal is the last of the seven major core rules of the Food Safety Moderation Act (FSMA). Additionally this rule partially implements the Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 2005 (2). Comment period ends 31 May 2014.

The other major core rules are:

1) cGMP, Hazard Analysis and Preventive Control for Human Foods
2) cGMP, Hazard Analysis and Preventive Control for Animal Feed – comment period ends 31 March 2014
3) Produce Safety
4) Foreign Supplier Verification Program
5) Accreditation of Third Party Auditors
6) Mitigation Strategies to Prevent Intentional Adulteration – comment period ends 31 March 2014

Sanitary Transportation of Food and Feed

This rule applies to shippers, carriers, and receivers who transport food that will be consumed or be transported throughout the United States (US). This rule applies to those same companies outside of the US in regards to food and feed being exported to the US. This rule will not apply to the transportation of prepackaged shelf stable foods, live animals and raw agricultural commodities when transported by farms.

The concentration of this rule is to prevent practices that create food safety risks, such as the failure to properly refrigerate foods, inadequate cleaning between loads and failure to protect food during transportation.

This rule will establish requirements for:

- Vehicle and transportation equipment – design and maintenance to prevent contamination.
- Transportation Operation – Measures to ensure food is not contaminated such as temperature control.
- Information Exchange – on prior cargo or temperature control between affected parties in the transportation flow.
- Training – documented training of carrier personnel.
- Record Keeping – for equipment cleaning, prior cargoes and temperature control.
- Waivers – US FDA will grant waivers to any requirement providing the procedure that the company is seeking a waiver for will not result in a unsafe condition involving the transportation of food.

The effective date will be 60 days after the final rule is published. Compliance dates will be 2 years after the final rule is published for small businesses which is a business employing less than 500 people and having less than $25.5 million in annual receipts - and 1 year after the final rule is published for all other businesses.

For more information on FSMA and how to comment on the proposed regulations visit the FDA website (http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/default.htm).

References:

(1) US FDA - Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food (https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2014-02188.pdf)
(2) Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-109publ59/html/PLAW-109publ59.htm)
(3) FSMA Proposed Rule on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food (http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm383763.htm)

About SGS Food Safety Services

SGS is committed to keeping readers informed of regulatory news and developments. Leveraging a global network of laboratories and food experts, SGS provides a comprehensive range of food safety and quality solutions including analytical testing, audits, certifications, inspections and technical support for transportation, logistics and trade (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Food/Transportation-Logistics-and-Trade.aspx). SGS continually invests in world class testing capabilities and state-of-the-art technology to help customers reduce risks, and improve food safety and quality.

For further information please do not hesitate to contact the SGS experts.

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 80,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,650 offices and laboratories around the world.