The FDA Plans to Update Food Transport Rules

WASHINGTON (CN) - The Food and Drug Administration has proposed new sanitation requirements for food transportation.

Under the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act, the FDA issues regulations that require shippers, carriers and others who transport food to ensure they are using the most sanitary practices in the transportation.

This week the FDA proposed a rule that would establish criteria for determining if food is adulterated during transport.

"The goal of the proposed rule is to ensure that transportation practices do not create food safety risks," the agency wrote. "Practices that create such risk include failure to properly refrigerate food, inadequate cleaning of vehicles between loads, and failure to properly protect food during transportation."

"The proposed rule builds on current safe food transport practices and is focused on ensuring that persons engaged in the transportation of food that is at the greatest risk for contamination during transportation follow appropriate sanitary transportation practices," the FDA wrote.

The rule would create specific requirements for vehicles and equipment, among other things.

For instance, food shippers would be required to inspect a vehicle for cleanliness before loading in food that is not completely covered (such as produce in vented boxes).

In addition, foods that require time and temperature control, such as meat, would have specific requirements to ensure a vehicle's cooling system works properly.

Comments on the proposed rule are due by May 31.

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