FDA extends traceability rule comment period

The Food and Drug Administration is extending the public comment period for the Food Safety Modernization Act’s traceability rule.

The agency’s original comment period was Jan. 21; it is now Feb. 22.

The comment period for the part of the traceability rule concerning information collection provisions closed Nov. 23, but the FDA has reopened it, with a Feb. 22 deadline as well.

The FDA released its Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods on Sept. 23, setting a 60-day comment period for the information collection provisions and a 120-day comment period for the overall rule.

The FDA changed the deadlines after stakeholders expressed concerns about the time to adequately analyze the information collection provisions in the context of the entire proposed rule, according to an FDA notice.

The rule calls for enhanced traceability records for growers, handlers and processors of certain fresh produce items on the Food Traceability List. The list includes leafy greens, peppers, tomatoes, sprouts, all melons, tropical fruits, fresh-cut fruits.