WASHINGTON—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) announced today that the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) under direction of the FDA will begin two pilot projects to enhance the agency’s and industry’s ability to trace products responsible for foodborne illness outbreaks.
Required under the Food and Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the two projects—one involving produce and one involving processed foods—are designed to evaluate methods and technologies for rapid and effective tracing of foods. FSMA also directs the FDA to establish recordkeeping requirements for high-risk foods to help in tracing products.
“We can prevent illnesses and reduce the economic impact to the food industry if we can more quickly determine what foods may be causing an outbreak and what foods can be eliminated from consideration," said Michael R. Taylor, FDA deputy commissioner for foods. “We recognize the importance of engaging stakeholders throughout the process and will consider what is practical for facilities of varying sizes and capabilities."
The pilots will evaluate methods and technologies for rapid and effective tracing of foods, including types of data that are useful for tracing, ways to connect the various points in the supply chain, and how quickly the data are made available to the FDA. Key stakeholder groups will have input into the pilots, and efforts will be made to include those representing the food supply chain including farms, restaurants and grocery stores.
Upon completion of the pilots, FDA will initiate rulemaking on recordkeeping requirements for high-risk foods to facilitate tracing. The agency must define high-risk foods, considering such factors as the known risks of a food based on foodborne illness data, the likelihood that a particular food has a high potential risk for contamination, and the likely severity of an illness attributed to a particular food. FDA will hold three public meetings during the comment period on the proposed rule.
In July, FDA completed two other critical tasks required by FSMA—issuing an anti-smuggling food safety strategy and a draft guidance clarifying the agency’s expectations on new dietary ingredients.
