FDA food registry now taking reports
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
The agency requires food facilities to submit to its Web-based reportable food registry cases where a product has a "reasonable probability" of causing severe health problems or death. RFR, which launched Sept. 8 at 1http://rfr.fda.gov/, does not apply to dietary supplements or infant formulas (2"The Tan Sheet" June 29, 2009, In Brief). Michael Taylor, senior advisor to the FDA commissioner, said real-time reporting "enhances FDA's ability to act quickly to prevent food-borne illness." Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., called RFR "an important first step," but said Congress must still pass food safety legislation. Food firms must comply with RFR requirements immediately, but FDA's guidance says the agency may exercise enforcement discretion until Dec. 8 for parties that make "a reasonable effort to comply.