Security & Safety Briefs - Dec. 2 - Dec. 8
The Latest Headlines:
- FDA Issues Regulations Aimed at Improving Food Security
- Unions Ask Government to Oppose UP Inspections Request
- Thompson Says More Needs to Be Done to Protect Food Supply
- Unions Ask Government to Oppose UP Inspections Request
FDA Issues Regulations Aimed at Improving Food Security
The Food and Drug Administration on Monday said it issued final regulations on the establishment of paper records to protect the food supply in the of a terrorist attack or health crisis.Fletcher Hall, executive director of the Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference, told Transport Topics the rule was a victory for trucking because FDA said maintenance of bills of lading would be acceptable recordkeeping.
Trucking companies are currently already required to mantain bills of lading under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules, he said.
The retention period for human food ranges from six months to two years, the release said. Companies may keep the information either paper or electronic form, FDA said. Transport Topics
Unions Ask Government to Oppose UP Inspections Request
Five labor unions including the Teamsters have asked the Federal Railroad Administration to oppose a request by freight railroad Union Pacific to allow its trains to skip inspections after entering the country from Mexico, the New York Times reported.The company said allowing its trains to be inspected in Mexico would reduce rail traffic congestion in the United States, according to the Times. About nine UP trains each day cross the border.
Since May there have been nine derailments or accidents involving Union Pacific in the San Antonio area, one in which poisonous gas was released, the Times said. Four people died in those accidents.
A spokesman for the Federal Railroad Administration declined to comment on the waiver request while it is being reviewed, the Times said. Kathryn Blackwell, a Union Pacific spokeswoman, said the Mexican train inspections would be "exactly the same" as those in this country, the Times said. Transport Topics
Thompson Says More Needs to Be Done to Protect Food Supply
Outgoing Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said Monday said he was "still not comfortable" about the safety of the food supply, news services reported.Thompson, who resigned from the Bush administration last week, although there are more food inspections, more money was still needed to hire additional inspectors and to improve technology, Reuters reported.
However, President Bush told reporters the government was "doing everything we can to protect the American people," the Associated Press reported. Transport Topics
