Yesterday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration explained that the ability for agencies and industry’s to detect products responsible for foodborne illness outbreaks will be improved by two new pilot projects.
Under an existing FDA contract, the pilot projects will be conducted by The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific society consisting of experts engaged in food science, food technology, and related professions, at the direction of the FDA.
Signed into law in January, The Food Safety Modernization Act calls for the FDA to establish a minimum of two pilot projects: one which involves produce and the other involving processed foods. The FDA is also directed by the act to create record keeping requirements for high-risk foods in order to help trace products.
Michael R. Taylor, FDA deputy commissioner for foods, explained:
“We can prevent illnesses and reduce the economic impact to the food industry if we can more quickly determine what foods may be causing an outbreak and what foods can be eliminated from consideration.
We recognize the importance of engaging stakeholders throughout the process and will consider what is practical for facilities of varying sizes and capabilities.”
The trials will assess methods and technologies for fast and effective tracing of foods, such as types of data that are useful for tracing, ways to link the various points in the supply chain, and how fast the data are made available to the FDA.
Important stakeholder groups, including industry, government, and consumers, will have a say in the trials, and efforts will be made to incorporate those representing the food supply chain, from farms to restaurants and grocery stores.
Following the completion of the pilots and when additional data is collected, the FDA will initiate rule making requirements for foods that are high-risk to make tracing easier. The FDA must outline high-risk foods, taking into account such factors as the known risks of a food based on foodborne illness data, the likelihood that a particular food has a high potential risk for contamination, and the likely severity of an illness attributed to a particular food. Three public meetings during the comment period on the proposed rule will be held by the FDA.
Written by Grace Rattue