DOT’s Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) has announced a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking intended to assist in the implementation the Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 1990. The Act requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations that help safeguard food from contamination during transportation.
Rather then issuing its own guidelines, RSPA is proposing to address safe transportation of food and food products by referencing in its regulations requirements of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that apply to those who transport these products by motor vehicle or rail.
The USDA regulates meat, poultry and egg products. In carrying out its responsibilities, USDA conducts routine inspections of transporters of these products. The FDA, which is responsible for food safety including transportation, has programs in place to inspect vehicles and all other conveyances in which foods are transported.
Comments about the proposed rulemaking must be received by January 20, 2005 (go to www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments).
