FDA Announces Delay of Reportable Foods Registry

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the availability of draft industry guidance titled “Questions and Answers Regarding the Reportable Food Registry as Established by the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007.” The Food Administration Amendments Act of 2007 required FDA to establish within one year of enactment an electronic portal to facilitate the reporting of adulterated foods. FDA has now delayed until September 8, 2009, implementation of the registry “to consider any comments received on the draft guidance and through the agency’s planned outreach initiatives, and to allow for further testing of the electronic portal for reportable foods.” In the interim, the agency has encouraged industry to continue reporting of adulterated foods through existing channels, such as the relevant FDA district office. See Federal Register, June 11, 2009.