The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced a proposal to exempt certain cottage cheese products from the requirements of the Food Traceability Rule.
The Food Traceability Rule establishes additional recordkeeping requirements, in addition to those of the existing rule, for those who manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods that the agency designates for inclusion on the Food Traceability List. In the final rule, FDA announced its intention to consider exempting Grade “A” cottage cheese, which is regulated under the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO), from the requirements of the rule. The PMO represents the most current scientific knowledge and experience regarding the safe manufacture and processing of Grade “A” dairy products, including cottage cheese. Much of the cottage cheese produced in the United States is regulated through the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shippers (NCIMS), which relies on the PMO. FDA and NCIMS jointly developed a federal-interstate cooperative program (the Interstate Milk Shippers Program) designed to ensure the sanitary quality of milk and dairy products transported between states. The proposed exemption would apply to all Grade “A” cottage cheese on the Interstate Milk Shippers List.
Comments on the proposed exemptions should be submitted electronically or in writing by September 12, 2024. Electronic comments should be submitted to the Federal Electronic Rulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Written comments should be submitted to the Dockets Management Staff (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
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