Food Industry Unprepared for Bioterrorism Rule
ELMWOOOD PARK, N.J. -- An astounding 50 percent of food industry professionals surveyed by the Food Institute don't know that all domestic and most foreign food manufacturing and distribution facilities must register with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by Dec. 12 of this year as FDA implements the Bioterrorism Act. Another 21 percent know about the requirement but have done nothing to prepare.
The Food Institute administered the online survey to 1,292 food industry participants, and the Food Policy Institute at Rutgers University analyzed the results, finding that survey responses reveal that many food firms are aware of the new requirements, yet few have taken action toward compliance.
"There is a striking disparity between awareness and preparedness," said Dr. Calum Turvey, director of the Food Policy Institute. "Many food firms aware of the regulations, however, have not done a great deal to prepare. Our snapshot study reflects the overarching issue of uncertainty that pervades this act."
The Food Institute administered the online survey to 1,292 food industry participants, and the Food Policy Institute at Rutgers University analyzed the results, finding that survey responses reveal that many food firms are aware of the new requirements, yet few have taken action toward compliance.
"There is a striking disparity between awareness and preparedness," said Dr. Calum Turvey, director of the Food Policy Institute. "Many food firms aware of the regulations, however, have not done a great deal to prepare. Our snapshot study reflects the overarching issue of uncertainty that pervades this act."