New Food Safety Rule On Food Transport To Prevent Contamination

Last week, the FDA finalized a new food safety rule designed to help prevent the contamination of foods during transport. This rule, under the FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act), will require manufacturers who transport consumer and animal food via rail or motor carrier to adhere to best practices in transport to ensure foods remain sanitary and safe for consumers.

Some of the measures manufacturers will have to take to comply with the new rule include sufficient cleaning of vehicles between loads, proper refrigeration, and protection of food during transport. While some manufacturers have already implemented these measures, those who have not will be required to be in compliance within one year of publication of the rule; smaller manufacturers must be in compliance within two years, according to news reports. The new food safety transport rule applies to all beverages and foods shipped across the U.S., including not only domestically manufactured products but those that are imported and transported throughout the country at a later time.

The recent ruling could change aspects of the supply chain for some companies, for instance those who load in warmer climates and would need pre-cool delivery trucks to keep products safe and protect against potential spoiling.

The new rule will help ensure that food, animal, and beverage products consumers purchase at the supermarket are safe to eat and free from contamination. Consumers have become more concerned about the products they buy in recent years in terms of possible contamination, ingredients, and nutrition.

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