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Small Entity Compliance Guide: Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food - What You Need to Know About the FDA Regulation

FinalHuman Foods Program11/22/2017

Description

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 (FSMA)directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the food regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to better protect public health by, among other things, adopting a modern, preventive, and risk-based approach to food safety regulation. On April 6, 2016, FDA published in theFederal Registera final rule,Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food(Sanitary Transportation rule) (81 FR 20091), that establishes requirements for shippers, loaders, carriers by motor vehicle and rail vehicle, and receivers engaged in the transportation of food, including food for animals, to use sanitary transportation practices to ensure the safety of the food they transport. The final rule became effective on June 6, 2016.

Scope & Applicability

Product Classes

3
human food

Substances used in human food evaluated for safety.; Substances intended for use in food for humans.

Molluscan shellfish

Not considered a major food allergen under the FD&C Act.

animal food

Substances used in animal food evaluated for safety.; Substances intended for use in food for animals.

Stakeholders

6
Shipper

Person who arranges for the transportation of food; Entity responsible for establishing written procedures and specifications; A person who arranges for the transportation of food

Carrier

A truck or transport vehicle holding food only in its usual course of business

Loader

Person that loads food onto a motor or rail vehicle; Entity responsible for verifying conditions before loading food; A person that loads food onto a motor or rail vehicle

Receiver

The entity for which the identifier is unique in the Batch Sender Identifier field.

Small business

Entity type with specific compliance dates

qualified individual

Person identified to perform FSVP activities on the importer's behalf; person performing FSVP activities; person with education, training, or experience to perform FSVP activities; Person with education, training, or experience to perform FSVP activities; Person required to conduct or oversee hazard analysis; Person with education, training, or experience to perform FSVP activities.; person required to conduct and document verification activities; person with expertise to review and assess verif

Regulatory Context

Attributes

3
temperature control for safety

Condition determining if transportation regulation applies

Operating temperature

Temperature sufficient to ensure food safety during transport

retention period

12 months beyond use or termination of agreements

Identified Hazards

Hazards

5
Temperature control for safety

Required to prevent food from becoming unsafe during transport

Pest

Objectionable animals or insects including birds, rodents, flies, and larvae

food safety problems

Awareness required during training

cross-contact

Risk of contamination in bulk vehicles or unenclosed food; Unintentional incorporation of a food allergen

temperature abuse

Failure to maintain required temperature during transport

Related CFR Sections (8)

Related Warning Letters (10)

  • Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)

    Jalisco Fresh Produce, Inc.

    2025-09-09
  • Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)

    Zacanta LLC

    2025-03-18
  • Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)

    Green Day Produce, Inc.

    2024-10-08
  • Acidified Foods/Emergency Permit Control/Adulterated

    Brewing Market Coffee

    2024-09-24
  • Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)

    Minland of Texas, Inc.

    2024-08-27
  • FSVP/Seafood HACCP

    Rash Catering Services, LLC

    2024-05-21
  • Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)

    Ikal LLC

    2023-10-10
  • Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)

    TL State Management, Inc.

    2023-01-24
  • Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)

    Gobwa Exotic Imports Inc.

    2022-12-13
  • Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)

    EH Maldonado and Company

    2022-08-16

See Also (8)