Sanitary Food Transportation

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The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has several rules directed towards shippers, loaders, carriers and receivers regarding proper and improper storage and transportation of food, including food for animals. Sanitary transportation is absolutely vital in ensuring the safety of the food being transported, and the actions taken by the FDA are in place as part of a much larger effort to prevent food safety issues.

In March of 2016, the FDA published a Final Rule, effective starting June 6, 2016, that is part of the 2005 SFTA (Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 2005) and the FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011). This rule states new requirements that include properly refrigerated food, cleaned vehicles between loads and protecting food during transportation. Building on current food safety practices, this rule recognizes that during transportation food is at the greatest risk for contamination and that the transportation industry must use proper practices for cleaning, inspection, maintenance, loading and unloading of and operation of vehicles and transportation equipment.

For more detailed information of the specifics outlined by the SFTA and FSMA be sure to visit the Office of the Federal Register website.