21 CFR Part 1 Subpart O - Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food

What it says

Shippers, loaders, carriers and receivers who transport human and animal food by motor or rail vehicle must follow requirements for vehicles and transportation equipment, transportation operations such as temperature control and prevention of cross-contamination, information exchange among the parties, training of carrier personnel, and records, with written procedures and agreements as appropriate.

Paraphrased for plain-language clarity. Always verify against the current published regulation text.

What it means in practice

• Responsibility is shared across the chain, so each party, from the shipper who specifies requirements to the carrier who follows them, has defined duties.
• Temperature control for foods that need it has to be specified by the shipper and verified during transport.
• Vehicles previously used to haul non-food items or other cargo need to be cleaned or inspected so they do not contaminate the food.

What FDA inspectors look for

• Whether written procedures and agreements define who does what.
• Whether temperature requirements are communicated and monitored.
• Whether carrier personnel training records exist.

Related regulations