On behalf of the science of food community, IFT’s Global Food Traceability Center (GFTC) recently submitted comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the proposed “Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods” (Food Traceability Proposed Rule). The proposed rule is a key component of the FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint and would implement Section 204(d) of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
The proposed rule aims to improve recordkeeping standards for manufacturers, processors, packers, and those who hold foods identified on the draft Food Traceability List. It identifies critical tracking events (CTEs) in the supply chain, such as growing, shipping, receiving, creating, and transforming the foods, that would require records to be captured containing key data elements (KDEs).
Despite the availability of best practices for food tracing which have been well defined for nearly a decade, outbreaks of foodborne illnesses continue to occur with a frequency that is undermining consumer confidence in important foods for health and nutrition, including several types of produce, nut butters, and seafood. The safety of these foods is critical from a public health perspective, both in terms of preventing outbreaks of acute illness and all the related costs to people and businesses and preventing underconsumption of these foods driven by safety concerns.
In its comments, IFT commended the FDA on the steps the rule takes to enhance record keeping and traceability for foods that have been known to cause foodborne illness outbreaks and recalls. IFT is fully supportive of the FDA’s stated objectives to reduce the time and scope of recalls through requirement of a first receiver to end of supply chain lot-level traceability record within 24 hours (Proposed § 1.1455(b)(1)).
The comments also included feedback and recommendations for FDA to consider to further enhance the rule prior to finalization. Highlights include:
Since its inception, IFT’s GFTC has actively worked with the FDA, partner organizations, and the private sector to help address global food traceability challenges and opportunities across the supply chain, including completing task orders, conducting primary research, leading pre-competitive industry platforms, creating implementation tools, and delivering educational programming. The GFTC looks forward to partnering with stakeholders impacted by the proposed rule to realize the vision of accurate, rapid end-to-end traceability.
End-to-end traceability leveraging digital technologies is achievable and this rule, once finalized, will be a critical element. You can find the complete comments on our Policy Developments web page.
To learn more about global food safety standards and what they could mean for alleviating shortages, including in the instance of baby formula, we asked IFT’s own Steve Havlik to address a few questions.
Toxic element exposure in early life and toxic metals in tainted baby foods are top of mind for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) and FDA as they work to safeguard the food supply. Last year, the USDA announced a new action plan called Closer to Zero, which identifies steps the agency will take over the next three years to reduce exposure to toxic elements from foods eaten by babies and young children. Read more about how IFT’s is engaging with this initiative.
IFT responds to scientific questions to be examined to support the development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Specifically, “What is the relationship between consumption of dietary patterns with varying amounts of ultra-processed foods and growth, size, body composition, risk of overweight and obesity, and weight loss and maintenance?”