US law to investigate foodborne illness outbreaks has been delayed for 15 years

Live updates

1. 29d ago

   FDA Food Traceability Rule Enforcement Delayed Until July 2028

   The FDA will not begin enforcing the food traceability rule until July 2028, representing a 15.5 year delay from the original January 2013 deadline set by Congress. Eleven consumer, public health, and labor groups, including the Safe Food Coalition, are urging Congress to rescind the traceability rider and lift the freeze on funding. These groups argue the delay hinders the investigation of foodborne illness outbreaks, such as those involving Cyclospora, and that Section 780 forces the FDA to restart its work on lot codes.

   Why it matters

   Food traceability allows investigators to quickly track contaminated produce back to its source to prevent widespread illness. A long-term legislative delay has left the FDA without the enforcement power needed to mandate these tracking standards. The current dispute centers on a congressional rider that pushed the deadline and restricted funding.

   What is confirmed

   • Congress directed the FDA to write the Food Traceability Rule by January 2013.
   • Enforcement of the food traceability rule is now scheduled to begin in July 2028.
   • The Safe Food Coalition is urging Congress to lift the freeze on FDA traceability rule enforcement and funding.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Section 780 requires the FDA to restart its process regarding lot codes.
   • The traceability rule delay hindered the investigation of a Cyclospora outbreak.

   What to watch next

   • Congressional decision on whether to rescind the traceability rider
   • FDA updates regarding the redesign of lot code requirements
   Sources used for this update (8)

   1. The Guardian — US law to investigate foodborne illness outbreaks has been delayed for 15 years
   2. Quality Assurance & Food Safety — Safe Food Coalition Urges Congress to Lift Freeze on FDA Traceability Rule Enforcement
   3. Marler Blog — Eleven Consumer, Public Health and Labor Groups Just Asked Congress to Rescind the Traceability Rider. They Are Right, and Section 780 Is Worse Than a Delay, Because It Also Tells FDA to Go Back to the Drawing Board on Lot Codes.
   4. Food Safety Magazine — Congress Urged to Prevent FDA Traceability Rule Delay, Which Could Have Helped Cyclospora Outbreak Investigation
   5. Consumer Federation of America — Article - Safe Food Coalition Urges Congress to Reverse Freeze on FDA Traceability Funding
   6. Marler Blog — Congress Told the FDA to Write the Food Traceability Rule by January 2013. Enforcement Now Begins in July 2028. Here Is How Fifteen and a Half Years Went By.
   7. foodsafetynews.com — Coalition wants Congress to rescind delay of food traceability rule
   8. marlerblog.com — The Guardian Went and Read the Lobbying Disclosures. Now We Know Who Asked Congress to Push the Traceability Rule to 2028.
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