US proposes new rule to deal with food adulteration

SummaryFirms from India and other nations supplying food to the US may soon find it costlier to do businesses

Firms from India and other nations supplying food to the US may soon find it costlier to do businesses with the US proposing a new rule that requires them to address vulnerable processes in operations to prevent facilities from being target of "intentional adulteration".

Initial estimates suggest that companies, both domestic and overseas, might have to spend nearly $500 million in 10 years to comply to the proposed rule requirements.

The proposed new norms by food regulator FDA comes in the backdrop of constant fears of intentional harm to US health system and consumers via its food supply chain.

Facilities would have to identify and implement strategies to address these vulnerabilities, establish monitoring procedures and corrective actions, verify that the system is working and maintain certain records, among others.

However, these rules are not intended to apply to farms and food for animals as of now.

The proposed rule, under the FDA Food Safety Modernisation Act, would require domestic and overseas suppliers to have a written food defence plan that addresses any potential vulnerabilities in a food operation.

"Acts of intentional adulteration may take several forms, including those where the intention is to cause large-scale public health harm; acts of disgruntled employees, consumers, or competitors; and economically motivated adulteration," the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) said.