FDA Releases Supplement to the 2017 Food Code

Jan 02, 2020 | Michelle Shapiro

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made available the Supplement to the 2017 Food Code. The update addresses recommendations made by regulatory officials, industry, academia, and consumers at the 2018 Biennial Meeting of the Conference for Food Protection.

The Food Code and its Supplement provide government and industry with practical, science-based controls for reducing the risk of foodborne illness in retail and foodservice establishments of all types. The Food Code and the Supplement are joint projects by the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The Supplement modifies the 2017 Food Code to, among other things:

  • Allow food establishments in limited circumstances, such as in a restricted office building or break room, that pose minimal risk of causing, or contributing to foodborne illness to operate without a person in charge, as approved by the regulatory authority.
  • Add a new exception for when “time without temperature control” is used as the public health control for ready-to-eat produce and hermetically sealed food upon cutting, chopping or opening of the hermetically sealed container. This exception allows these foods to begin at 70°F or less and remain at 70°F for a maximum of 4 hours.
  • Remove the allowance for use of chemically treated towelettes for hand washing because the means to wash hands in limited situations is readily available and hand washing has been determined to be effective.
  • Expand and clarify the type of information that should be included when a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Plan is required by a regulatory authority.
  • Include new supporting documents such as the USDA-FSIS Chicken Liver Guidance and the Conference of Food Protection’s Mail Order Food Companies Guidance Document.

The Food Code is the model for retail food regulations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and other territories. The FDA encourages its state, local, tribal, and territorial partners to adopt the current version of the FDA Food Code, including the Supplement to the 2017 Food Code. The agency’s National Retail Food Team is available to assist regulatory officials, educators, and industry in their efforts to understand, adopt, and implement, the FDA Food Code. Inquiries may be sent to: [email protected] or directly to a Retail Food Specialist.

The 2017 FDA Food Code and its Supplement is available on the FDA website. The next complete revision of the Food Code will be published in 2021.


636530147572900000

About Michelle Shapiro

Michelle Shapiro was formerly a communication specialist for the Environmental Health & Disability team at NACCHO.

More posts by Michelle Shapiro

Related Posts

Wastewater plant2
  • Infectious Disease Wastewater

Fostering Local Wastewater Monitoring Network...

FLoW-Net is now open to all Local Health Departments.

Feb 05, 2025 | Nikita Kheni

Fostering Local Wastewater Monitoring Network...

Crumbine Medal
  • Awards & Recognition Call for Nominations Food Safety & Inspection

Now Accepting Applications: 2025 Crumbine Award for...

Local jurisdictions, deadline to submit entries for the award is March 14, 2025.

Feb 04, 2025 | Anu Varma

Now Accepting Applications: 2025 Crumbine Award for...

One Health framework

National One Health Framework to Address Zoonotic...

Learn about the new federal roadmap for the next five years (2025-2029).

Jan 22, 2025 | Anu Varma

National One Health Framework to Address Zoonotic...

CIFOR logo PNG file
  • Food Safety & Inspection

Survey on Recruitment and Retention Practices in the...

Led by CIFOR, this survey will stay open until January 31.

Jan 17, 2025 | Anu Varma

Survey on Recruitment and Retention Practices in the...

2024 EH Impact Infographic Draft

Year in Review 2024: NACCHO Environmental Health

A summary of the environmental health team’s accomplishments in CY2024.

Jan 07, 2025 | Anu Varma

Year in Review 2024: NACCHO Environmental Health

Swimming pool 146927186
  • Webinar Model Aquatic Health Code

Webinar: Latest Model Aquatic Health Code Updates

Join to hear from CMAHC on February 13, 2025, from 1-2 pm ET.

Jan 03, 2025 | Olivia Turay

Webinar: Latest Model Aquatic Health Code Updates

Pool checklist
  • Model Aquatic Health Code

CDC Announces Model Aquatic Health Code, 5th Edition

Find out what’s new in the latest edition.

Dec 17, 2024 | Anu Varma

CDC Announces Model Aquatic Health Code, 5th Edition

  • Funding Opportunity Vector Control

Request for Applications: Vector Control Collaborative...

Application deadline now extended to January 17, 2025.

Dec 09, 2024 | Christine Phan

Request for Applications: Vector Control Collaborative...

CFH ambassadors twitter card
  • Tools & Resources Community Engagement Climate Change Training

Join Our Climate Ambassador Training – Start Your...

Learn effective strategies to engage and inspire your community and...

Nov 25, 2024 | Anu Varma

Join Our Climate Ambassador Training – Start Your...

Back to Top