The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a proposed exemption for certain cottage cheese products from the stringent requirements of its Food Traceability Rule. This rule, aimed at enhancing food traceability, mandates extensive record-keeping for manufacturers, processors, packers, and holders of foods listed on the FDA’s Food Traceability List (FTL).
Central to the Food Traceability Rule are requirements that entities handling listed foods maintain records containing Key Data Elements (KDEs) linked to Critical Tracking Events (CTEs). These records must be provided to the FDA promptly, typically within 24 hours or within an agreed reasonable timeframe.
Under the finalized rule, the FDA has indicated its intent to exempt cottage cheese that falls under the regulatory oversight of the Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) from these stringent requirements. The PMO reflects current scientific knowledge and practices regarding the safe production and processing of Grade “A” milk products, including cottage cheese.
In the United States, much of the cottage cheese production is governed by the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS), which relies on the PMO. Collaboratively, the FDA and NCIMS administer the Interstate Milk Shippers Program, ensuring the sanitary quality of milk and milk products transported across state lines.
The proposed exemption would cover all Grade “A” cottage cheese listed on the Interstate Milk Shippers List. Stakeholders and interested parties are invited to submit electronic or written comments on the exemption proposal by September 12. Electronic comments can be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov, while written comments should be sent to the Dockets Management Staff (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
This exemption proposal marks a significant development in regulatory oversight for cottage cheese production in the United States, balancing food safety requirements with established industry standards and practices under the PMO and NCIMS frameworks.
Related Topics:
