Food Safety Issues
Foodservice distributors play an integral role in managing the tremendously complex food supply chain, providing foodservice operators with a wide range of safe, high-quality, and affordable ingredients. IFDA members are deeply committed to food safety, and they devote considerable resources to compliance with federal, state, and local food safety regulations. The foodservice industry operates a just-in-time inventory model, keeping ingredients fresh and lowering costs, to the benefit of the consumer.
IFDA’s advocacy efforts in this area are geared toward promoting practical policies and commonsense regulations that advance food safety.
FDA FSMA 204 Food Traceability Rule
FDA announces intention to extend compliance date
In November 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a final rule on food traceability. This rule fulfills FDA’s statutory obligation under section 204 of the “Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 (FSMA)” to establish additional recordkeeping requirements for entities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods that FDA designates as “high risk” foods. While IFDA appreciates the core objectives of the traceability rule, we have been seeking an extension of the rule’s compliance date and modifications to the rule to address certain requirements that are fundamental impediments to its implementation.
- IFDA Comments on OMB RFI on Deregulation (2025)
- Traceability Group Letter on EO (2025)
- Food Industry Traceability Letter to House Appropriators (2025)
- IFDA Comments on RUF Traceability Rule Roundtables (2024)
- Food Industry Traceability Letter to House Appropriators (2023)
- FBIA Comments on FDA Proposed Rule (2021)
- IFDA Comments on FDA Proposed Rule (2021)
USDA Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products
proposal withdrawn
In August 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a proposed rule and proposed determination, “Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products.” IFDA expressed concerns about the widespread disruption the framework would cause in the foodservice supply chain, increasing cost and complexity and reducing available product without meaningfully advancing the agency’s objectives.
FDA Recall Modernization
In September 2023, FDA held a public meeting on “Modernizing Recalls of FDA-Regulated Commodities.” Foodservice distributors have developed robust, industry-leading recall policies and procedures that enable them to work seamlessly with supply chain partners to carry out timely and effective recalls, positioning them well to comment on strategies for modernizing FDA’s recall procedures. IFDA submitted comments on behalf of the industry.