During the week of July 8th, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees both approved their respective Fiscal Year 2025 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Acts and reports. Both committees included important language related to the FDA’s 204 Rule on Food Traceability, as requested by GCCA during the recent GCCA Policy Forum in Washington, DC. The inclusion of specific language in both the Senate and House agricultural appropriations bills and reports reflects a concerted effort to address concerns regarding the implementation and enforcement of the “Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods” rule and the importance of the cold chain industry.

The House committee has included bill language that prohibits FDA from using any funds for rule implementation until the FDA completes four pilot projects measuring outbreak investigation effectiveness and assessing low-cost tracing technologies, ensuring a reliable food safety framework. The House language also mandates a minimum of a two-year delay in compliance post-pilot to allow sufficient time to evaluate the findings. The Senate version includes similar language in its report that emphasizes the need for the FDA to conduct multiple pilot projects before enforcing compliance requirements. The Senate Committee also expects an FDA report post-completion and suggests a two-year extension for rule compliance. The House and Senate taking similar positions on pilots and compliance delays is very encouraging as industry continues to work through implementation of the rule.

In addition to the food traceability language, the Senate report also includes language highlighting the importance of developing comprehensive cold food chain systems to reduce food loss and spoilage. The language goes on to state that a robust cold chain system enhances nutrition, food safety, economic opportunities, and resilience, consistent with GCCA’s messaging around the FRIDGE Act. Through the language the Senate Committee encourages the Department of Agriculture to prioritize cold chain technologies in programs, policies, and strategic plans aimed at hunger prevention and food security in developing markets.

GCCA applauds the Committees for including these important provisions and looks forward to continuing to work alongside both chambers as this process moves forward.

Published Date

July 15, 2024

Topic

Advocacy, Cold Chain Development, Government & Regulatory Affairs

Region

United States

Sector

Controlled Environment Building, GCCA Transportation, GCCA Warehouse