The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA), the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) and the Pet Food Institute (PFI) joined together in submitting a 13-page statement to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) objecting to the FDA’s requirement that firms the organizations represent must begin reporting food or feed product “safety incidents” through an electronic portal on September 8, 2009.September 8, 2009 is also the same day when the FDA will make the portal available for use for the first time. The electronic portal is known as the Reportable Food Registry. Under the 2007 FDA Amendments Act, Congress established the Reportable Food Registry.
According to a story in the Southwest Farm Press, the Registry “requires all domestic and international facilities registered with FDA under the Bioterrorism Act of 2002 to report food- or feed- safety incidents within 24 hours after determining that that they pose a ‘reasonable probability’ of causing ‘serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals.’ Failure to report is classified as a felony violation of the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.”
The NGFA, NOPA, and PFI asked the FDA to extend the effective date for reporting by another 45 to 60 days, or to use discretion “for a comparable period to provide an appropriate and necessary phase-in period.” The FDA has twice used “administrative discretion” to delay the reporting period beyond the legislation’s mandated start date. The groups also pointed out that the final guidance for the industry will not be available for the required participants until right before, or on the September 8 activation date.
There is no indication as yet from the FDA whether or not they will delay the start date. To read the Southwest Farm Press story and to see some of the industry’s recommended changes to the program, click here.
Posted: 08/25/09
