Despite grumblings from industry (including The Pet Food Institute), the FDA has opened on schedule, the Reportable Food Registry. We can hope this is a good thing.
FDA’s new Reportable Food Registry is an electronic method for Industry to report a food safety concern. As we who use computers understand, these electronic wonders are close to immediate. Thus, with the FDA’s new system, ANY food related concern can immediately be reported to FDA officials.
“Registered Food Facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food for human or animal consumption in the United States under section 415(a) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 350d) are required to report when there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, an article of food will cause serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals.”
Food ‘incidents’ are required to be reported within 24 hours.
The bad news is that consumers (and petsumers) will NOT have access to these electronic reports; that is unless a Freedom of Information Act request is filed. Doubters of FDA (myself included) wonder if reports of tainted food and especially adulterated pet food will be quietly handled behind the scenes instead of the public being notified.
The electronic Reportable Food Registry is a good first step. Now, its time the FDA post ALL received electronic reports, within 24 hours of receipt, in a public portal. If you and/or industry have nothing to hide, why hide it?
To read more on the Reportable Food Registry, visit http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodSafetyPrograms/RFR/default.htm
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author, Buyer Beware
Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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