The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as required by Food Safety Modernization Act, proposed a rule that would require large food businesses in the U.S. and abroad to take steps that would prevent intentional attempts to contaminate the food supply in food facilities. The proposed rule requires food facilities to have a written food defense plan that addresses the significant vulnerabilities in its food production process. Facilities would need to identify and implement strategies to address vulnerabilities, establish monitoring procedures and corrective actions, verify that the procedures function as planned, providing training for appropriate personnel, and maintain records. The proposed rule does not apply to farms and food for animals. The public is invited to comment on the proposed rule.
The FDA will hold a public meeting on the proposed rule on Feb. 20, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm, at the Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building, FDA, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Wiley Auditorium, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740. Register now
Other important dates for this meeting include the following:
- Jan. 17: Closing date for request to make oral comment
- Jan 17: Closing date to request special accommodation due to a disability
- Feb. 7: Closing date for advance registration
- Mar. 31: Closing date to submit either electronic or written comments to FDA’s Division of Dockets Management. See Docket No. 2013-N-1425
Learn more by reading the fact sheet and the full proposed rule.
