On April 2, 2013, the FDA issued a Notice extending the comment period on the Institute of Food Technologists’ findings and recommendations to the FDA for the improvement of tracking and tracing food under FSMA.  The new deadline to submit comments on the IFT’s report is July 3, 2013.

To be clear, the Federal Register of March 5, 2013 included a FDA Notice with a 30-day comment period for the industry to submit comments on the findings and recommendations contained in the IFT report and to submit additional information relevant to improving food traceability.  The IFT’s report, together with industry comments, will help the FDA as it forms its own recommendations as it works to prepare the agency’s report to Congress, which FSMA requires.

Those of you who follow these issues know that the IFT’s report is well over 300 pages long and is a technical document.  I think the FDA’s enlargement of time is appropriate because the industry needs time to review the IFT’s report and to prepare meaningful commentary and other related submissions.  Please use this time wisely.  As you can tell from recent FDA guidance documents, FSMA applies to everyone and the costs associated with food traceability will also affect everyone.  Now is the time to voice any concerns you or your association may have on this topic.