January 31, 2005

ISSUE 1048

GROWERS AND SHIPPERS SEEK CLARIFICATION ON BIOTERRORISM RECORDS RULE

More than 100 industry members packed an Orlando public meeting held by the FDA on the new bioterrorism law and its rule for record keeping last week (January 27). Dr. Nega Beru, acting deputy director of the Office of Plant and Dairy Foods, reviewed the final records rule for producers, processors, retailers and others attending.

The records rule is complex, partly because it tries to address many different aspects of a complex food infrastructure, however farms are generally exempt. Under the rule, facilities that process, pack, transport, distribute, hold or import food are subject to the records requirements. FDA authorities acknowledged that further clarification was necessary to address specific situations, such as field packing, contract handling and multi-location operations, and that FDA would continue to update their website as those questions are raised by the industry.

Compliance with the rule is required starting December 9, 2005; medium and small companies are granted 6 month and 1 year extensions from that date, respectively. For details, contact the Environmental & Pest Management Division.

 

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