Signed into law in 2011, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is pushing fleets that haul food products to take a hands-on approach with their food service clients to ensure a smooth implementation.
“You need to be proactive and get out front” on this, said Bud Rodowick, manager fleet performance, Thermo-King. “Find out where your shippers are in developing their plans and work with them.”
Rodowick said the law gives sweeping new powers to the Food and Drug Administration, allowing it
“to start sending people to jail for violations.”
While the law places the primary responsibility on food producers and processors not carriers, it does put in place a rule on the sanitary transport of food and for producers and processors to maintain a food safety plan for food products which will include informa- tion on transportation, storage and distribution. The plan must also contain information on sanitation practices, including employee hygiene and other factors.
Carriers will have responsibilities under the Sanitary Transportation of ood rule, with that final rule expected to be published in 2016.
The FDA said the proposed rule would cover an estimated 83,609 busi- nesses, including carriers that haul food and the facilities that ship food. The agency estimates the first year cost would be $149.1 million or an average of $1,784 per business with on-going annual costs at $30 million, or $360 per business.
Comments are being accepted on the rule until May 30, 2014.