Traceability Key to Food Safety

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, today lauded the recommendations of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Report, "Traceability in the Food Supply Chain." While conducting the study, researchers were only able to track 13 percent [5 of 40] of the selected food products through each stage of the food supply chain. The report found that several factors prevented the tracing of specific products, including lack of lot-specific information and mixing of products from many farms.

"Traceability is key to determining the source of an outbreak of food borne illness," said DeGette. "I am not surprised that the FDA was only able to track a handful of food products through the supply chain. This report illustrates what I have been arguing for years – the need for an effective and enforceable traceability standard overseen by the FDA and the USDA. From tomatoes to jalapenos to peanuts, there has been an assault on our food supply in recent years without any protection. If companies were required to track food products from its origin to its final destination, consumers and industry would rest assured that if an outbreak occurs, we can tackle it head on quickly and effectively."

The HHS/OIG Report

"The traceability of food products and the ability of food facilities to provide information about their sources, recipients, and transporters are essential to ensuring the safety of our Nation's food supply" [Pg. 18].

Recommendations

· Congress should grant FDA authority to strengthen traceability recordkeeping by requiring all food processors, packers, and manufacturers to create and maintain lot-specific information.

· FDA should consider seeking additional statutory authority requiring food facilities to further strengthen the traceability of food products.

· FDA should work with the food industry to conduct mock recalls, monitor recordkeeping systems, and develop guidance to strengthen traceability.

U.S. Rep. DeGette has introduced two key food safety priorities that would achieve the aim of the above report recommendations. The SAFER Act gives the federal government the authority to order a recall of tainted foods, and the TRACE Act requires the Food and Drug Administration and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a product tracing system to identify contaminated food.

Earlier this month, Chairman Emeritus Dingell, introduced the Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of 2009 along with Chairman Bart Stupak (D-MI) and Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ). The measure includes a mandatory recall provision built upon U.S. Rep. DeGette's legislation, as well as some traceability language; U.S. Rep. DeGette is working closely with Chairman Dingell to strengthen this provision with her language.

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