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NEHA Encourages Retail Food Safety Programs to Support FDA Supplement to 2022 Food Code

November 4, 2024

FDA released the Supplement to the 2022 Food Code with recommendations made by regulatory officials, industry, academia, and consumers at the 2023 Biennial Meeting of the Conference for Food Protection. The Supplement reflects a concerted effort among federal, state, and local partners, along with numerous committed volunteers, to enhance food safety protocols and protect public health.

Key highlights include:

  • New Disinfection Provisions: Enhanced requirements for the disinfection of food and equipment surfaces to minimize contamination risks.
  • Guidelines for Refilling and Reusing Containers: Additional guidance for the safe refilling and reuse of containers in food establishments, promoting sustainability without compromising safety.
  • Strengthened Food Defense Measures: Expanded protocols to better prepare food establishments for potential threats and enhance resilience within the food supply.
  • Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) and Active Managerial Control: New definitions and standards emphasizing the importance of continuous safety oversight.
  • Updated Testing for Employee Reinstatement: Revised guidelines to support health authorities in reinstating food employees recovering from certain illnesses, ensuring the safety of both customers and staff.
  • Sushi Rice Acidification Guidance: Specific guidance for the safe acidification of sushi rice, essential for preventing foodborne pathogens in this popular dish.

This Supplement exemplifies the collaborative spirit and shared responsibility of public health and food safety professionals nationwide. We encourage state, local, tribal, and territorial food safety programs to adopt these important standards. We are committed to supporting their implementation.

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The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) represents more than 7,000 governmental, private, academic, and uniformed services sector environmental health professionals in the U.S., its territories, and internationally. NEHA is the profession’s strongest advocate for excellence in the practice of environmental health as it delivers on its mission to build, sustain, and empower an effective environmental health workforce.