President Obama signed the Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) into law on January 4, 2011. FSMA aims to ensure safety of the U.S. food supply by placing its focus on hazard analysis and preventive controls. 

The general compliance deadline for Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food Rule under FSMA is April 6, 2017.  For small businesses with less than 500 employees and having less than $27.5 million in annual receipts, the compliance deadline is April 6, 2018.

The Rule affects all facets of the food transport industry including vehicles, equipment and operations imposing special requirements for shippers, loaders, receivers and carriers. Other key components of the Rule include training and recordkeeping.  While the Rule contains waivers and certain exemptions, such exceptions need to be identified on a case-by-case basis.