The FDA has proposed new record-keeping requirements for foods that they deem high risk. Notably, foods included on this list include, but are not limited to, cucumbers, herbs, lettuce, melons, peppers, tomatoes and sprouts.
These new requirements would enhance record keeping for key points in the supply chain. The two categories of records are referred to as “key data elements†(KDE) and “critical tracking events†(CTE). This aligns with the Food Safety Modernization Act (Section 204(d)) which stated that traceability record keeping requirements would be established to protect the public health required this proposal.
The new requirements would take effect two years after the effective date of the final rule. Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted until January 21st, 2021.