In a 2013 report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a stunning 818 foodborne disease outbreaks that sickened 13,360 people, caused 1,062 hospitalizations and resulted in 16 deaths.
That’s more than 2 reports a day – and more than 1 death every month.
Statistics like this and more has led to a massive overhaul and greater scrutiny into every aspect of the food supply chain, from the grower or manufacturer all the way to the consumer’s fork. That includes transporting goods in a sanitary manner and properly controlling temperature.
Mandated Compliance
While the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was passed back in 2011, the FSMA’s final ruling on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food was just recently passed on April 5, 2016. While the rule will be effective 60 days from that date, mandated compliance dates for businesses will be 1-2 years after this April. The FDA has set different compliance dates for both small and large business entities.
If you’re in the business of transporting food, complying with the new rules now will get you ahead of the curve. Not only will current customers be able to rely on you for quick compliance, but you could even bring in new business.
Highlights of the Final FSMA ruling
Direct from the U.S. Food and Drug administration, here are the main core components:
- Vehicles and transportation equipment: The design and maintenance of vehicles and transportation equipment to ensure that it does not cause the food that it transports to become contaminated.
- Transportation operations: The measures taken during transportation to ensure food is not contaminated, such as adequate temperature controls and separation of food from non-food items in the same load.
- Information exchange: Procedures for exchange of information about prior cargos, cleaning of transportation equipment, and temperature control between the shipper, carrier, and receiver, as appropriate to the situation. For example, a carrier transporting bulk liquid non-dairy foods would want to ensure that vehicles that have previously hauled milk will not introduce allergens into non-dairy foods through cross contact.
- Training: Training of carrier personnel in sanitary transportation practices and documentation of the training.
- Records: Maintenance of written procedures and records by carriers and shippers related to transportation equipment cleaning, prior cargos, and temperature control.
- Waivers: Procedures by which the FDA will waive any of these requirements if it determines that the waiver will not result in the transportation of food under conditions that would be unsafe for human or animal health and that it is in the public interest.
(Source: http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm383763.htm)
A Cost-Effective Temperature Monitoring Solution
Since the FSMA was passed, Spireon has kept a close eye on the progress of new rules. As an emphasis for temperature monitoring emerged, we began developing our latest FleetLocate device, the FL14. Our goal was to provide an affordable option to high-priced reefer solutions that keeps you compliant with FSMA regulations.
With remote, real-time temperature monitoring your drivers will be able to focus on driving rather than watching for a temperature warning light or missing a potential problem altogether. With the help of Spireon, you’ll be able to:
- Stay compliant with FSMA rulings that require food to be transported at correct temperatures
- Save resources with a value-priced solution with one-way communication to keep costs down
- Have a temperature data logger that easily provides temperature reports for your customers and in the event of an audit
- Pinpoint the location of any refrigerated trailer whether it’s moving or not and increase reefer trailer utilization overall
To learn more about our FleetLocate temperature monitoring solution get in touch by calling: 800.557.1449. You can also learn more by registering for our upcoming webinar on Reefer Trailer Utilization & Temperature Monitoring by clicking the banner below.
Disclaimer: The information provided herein is provided by Spireon, Inc. for general discussion purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Because legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, and laws and regulations are constantly changing, nothing herein should be relied upon or used in place of the advice of your own legal counsel.