FDA Releases Final Rule on Sanitary Transportation of Food


On Tuesday, April 5, 2016, the Food and Drug Administration released the long-awaited final rule for the Sanitary Transportation of Food. The rule, which is 283 pages long, was mandated by the Food Safety Modernization Act, and will establish guidelines for custody of food products at every stage in the supply chain.

TIA filed comments on the proposed rule in 2014, with the goal of improving that proposal to adequately reflect the important role that third-party logistics companies play in the global food supply chain. At first review, the most immediate change from the proposed rule to the final rule is the treatment of brokers as shippers. This change may have a significant impact on TIA members' responsibilities when managing or moving temperature-controlled food products.

The final rule is viewable at this link.

Staff and members are currently reviewing the final rule and will issue additional guidance and comment in the near future. For additional information please monitor TIA communications on the issue or contact TIA at 703-299-5700 or advocacy@tianet.org.