Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

Glossary / Refrigerated freight / Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) has implications for the transportation of food products, including the use of reefer trailers. Under the FSMA, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has the authority to regulate and set standards for the transportation of food to prevent food safety risks and ensure the integrity of the food supply chain.

The FSMA’s requirements for food transportation include:

– Sanitary transportation practices. The FSMA mandates that food transported by motor vehicles or rail must be transported under conditions that prevent contamination and maintain appropriate temperature controls. This includes the use of sanitary practices, proper cleaning and maintenance of vehicles, and adequate temperature management in reefer trailers.

– Training and documentation. The FSMA requires carriers and drivers involved in transporting food to receive training on sanitary transportation practices. It also mandates that records be maintained to demonstrate compliance with the regulations. This includes
documenting temperature monitoring, cleaning, and maintenance records for reefer trailers.

– Cross-contamination prevention. The FSMA emphasizes the prevention of cross-contamination during transportation. It requires proper segregation and protection of food products to prevent contact with non-food items, allergens, or other potential sources of contamination within reefer trailers.

– Record-keeping. The FSMA mandates the retention of records related to food transportation for a specified period. This includes records related to the previous transportation history of food products, ensuring traceability and facilitating effective responses to any food safety incidents.

Compliance with the FSMA’s transportation requirements is crucial for carriers, shippers, and receivers involved in the transportation of food, including those utilizing reefer trailers. It promotes the adoption of best practices to ensure food safety, prevent contamination, and protect the integrity of perishable products during transit. Transporting food in refrigerated trailers equipped with sensors helps to
ensure the quality and safety of the food in transport.

Learn more about Reefer Monitoring solutions from Motive

Frequently Asked Questions

One of the seven major rules in the Food Safety Modernization Act, or FSMA, is the Preventive Controls for Human Food rule. This rule requires food facilities to have a written food safety plan that includes hazard analysis, preventive controls, and monitoring procedures. The rule aims to prevent foodborne illness by taking a proactive approach to identifying and controlling potential hazards in the food production process.

The 2010 Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is a United States federal law aimed at improving the safety of the nation’s food supply. It grants the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to enforce regulations on food production, processing, distribution, and importation.

The FSMA focuses on preventing foodborne illnesses by implementing preventive controls, enhanced inspections, and better traceability throughout the food supply chain. It also emphasizes the importance of partnerships between government agencies, industry, and consumers to
ensure food safety.

Yes, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FSMA was signed into law in 2011 and is aimed at preventing foodborne illnesses through a proactive and preventive approach. It gives the FDA new powers to ensure the safety of the nation’s food supply, including the ability to issue mandatory recalls and perform more frequent inspections.

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) produce safety rule is designed to minimize the risk of serious illness or death caused by consumption of contaminated fruits and vegetables. It sets standards for water and soil quality, worker training, and other measures aimed at preventing contamination during the growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of produce. Compliance with the rule is mandatory for farms and can help improve the safety of our food supply.

During transportation, the quality and safety of produce can be promoted through
reefer trailer temperature monitoring.