The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its final rule this week in establishing traceability recordkeeping requirements for those who manufacture, process, pack, or hold certain foods, including leafy greens, nut butters, fresh-cut fruits and vegetables and ready-to-eat deli salads, for inclusion on the Food Traceability List (FTL).

The requirements established in the final rule are designed to:

• Rapidly and effectively identify the origin and route of travel of certain contaminated foods
• Prevent and mitigate foodborne illness outbreaks
• Address credible threats of serious adverse health consequences or death
• Minimize overly broad advisories or recalls that implicate unaffected food products

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 48 million people in the U.S. get sick from a foodborne illness each year. The ruling advances the FDA’s ongoing commitment to further protect the public by ensuring a safe food supply.

The final rule can be read in full in the Federal Register here. Foods subject to the final rule requirements appear on the Food Traceability List (FTL).

The FDA will be hosting a stakeholder webinar on Dec 7th to provide further information. A time has not yet been announced.

The Western Growers Science team is here to help. Please reach out to Afreen Malik at [email protected] if you have any questions.