SUBCHAPTER I—IMPROVING CAPACITY TO PREVENT FOOD SAFETY PROBLEMS
§2201. Performance standards
(a) In general
The Secretary shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, not less frequently than every 2 years, review and evaluate relevant health data and other relevant information, including from toxicological and epidemiological studies and analyses, current Good Manufacturing Practices issued by the Secretary relating to food, and relevant recommendations of relevant advisory committees, including the Food Advisory Committee, to determine the most significant foodborne contaminants.
(b) Guidance documents and regulations
Based on the review and evaluation conducted under subsection (a), and when appropriate to reduce the risk of serious illness or death to humans or animals or to prevent adulteration of the food under
(1) shall apply to products or product classes;
(2) shall, where appropriate, differentiate between food for human consumption and food intended for consumption by animals other than humans; and
(3) shall not be written to be facility-specific.
(c) No duplication of efforts
The Secretary shall coordinate with the Secretary of Agriculture to avoid issuing duplicative guidance on the same contaminants.
(d) Review
The Secretary shall periodically review and revise, as appropriate, the guidance documents, including guidance documents regarding action levels, or regulations promulgated under this section.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Secretary, referred to in text, probably means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title
§2202. National Agriculture and Food Defense Strategy
(a) Development and submission of strategy
(1) In general
Not later than 1 year after January 4, 2011, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall prepare and transmit to the relevant committees of Congress, and make publicly available on the Internet Web sites of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture, the National Agriculture and Food Defense Strategy.
(2) Implementation plan
The strategy shall include an implementation plan for use by the Secretaries described under paragraph (1) in carrying out the strategy.
(3) Research
The strategy shall include a coordinated research agenda for use by the Secretaries described under paragraph (1) in conducting research to support the goals and activities described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b).
(4) Revisions
Not later than 4 years after the date on which the strategy is submitted to the relevant committees of Congress under paragraph (1), and not less frequently than every 4 years thereafter, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall revise and submit to the relevant committees of Congress the strategy.
(5) Consistency with existing plans
The strategy described in paragraph (1) shall be consistent with—
(A) the National Incident Management System;
(B) the National Response Framework;
(C) the National Infrastructure Protection Plan;
(D) the National Preparedness Goals; and
(E) other relevant national strategies.
(b) Components
(1) In general
The strategy shall include a description of the process to be used by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Homeland Security—
(A) to achieve each goal described in paragraph (2); and
(B) to evaluate the progress made by Federal, State, local, and tribal governments towards the achievement of each goal described in paragraph (2).
(2) Goals
The strategy shall include a description of the process to be used by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Homeland Security to achieve the following goals:
(A) Preparedness goal
Enhance the preparedness of the agriculture and food system by—
(i) conducting vulnerability assessments of the agriculture and food system;
(ii) mitigating vulnerabilities of the system;
(iii) improving communication and training relating to the system;
(iv) developing and conducting exercises to test decontamination and disposal plans;
(v) developing modeling tools to improve event consequence assessment and decision support; and
(vi) preparing risk communication tools and enhancing public awareness through outreach.
(B) Detection goal
Improve agriculture and food system detection capabilities by—
(i) identifying contamination in food products at the earliest possible time; and
(ii) conducting surveillance to prevent the spread of diseases.
(C) Emergency response goal
Ensure an efficient response to agriculture and food emergencies by—
(i) immediately investigating animal disease outbreaks and suspected food contamination;
(ii) preventing additional human illnesses;
(iii) organizing, training, and equipping animal, plant, and food emergency response teams of—
(I) the Federal Government; and
(II) State, local, and tribal governments;
(iv) designing, developing, and evaluating training and exercises carried out under agriculture and food defense plans; and
(v) ensuring consistent and organized risk communication to the public by—
(I) the Federal Government;
(II) State, local, and tribal governments; and
(III) the private sector.
(D) Recovery goal
Secure agriculture and food production after an agriculture or food emergency by—
(i) working with the private sector to develop business recovery plans to rapidly resume agriculture, food production, and international trade;
(ii) conducting exercises of the plans described in subparagraph (C) with the goal of long-term recovery results;
(iii) rapidly removing, and effectively disposing of—
(I) contaminated agriculture and food products; and
(II) infected plants and animals; and
(iv) decontaminating and restoring areas affected by an agriculture or food emergency.
(3) Evaluation
The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall—
(A) develop metrics to measure progress for the evaluation process described in paragraph (1)(B); and
(B) report on the progress measured in subparagraph (A) as part of the National Agriculture and Food Defense strategy described in subsection (a)(1).
(c) Limited distribution
In the interest of national security, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, may determine the manner and format in which the National Agriculture and Food Defense strategy established under this section is made publicly available on the Internet Web sites of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Agriculture, as described in subsection (a)(1).
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Secretary, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), probably means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
§2203. Food and Agriculture Coordinating Councils
The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture, shall within 180 days of January 4, 2011, and annually thereafter, submit to the relevant committees of Congress, and make publicly available on the Internet Web site of the Department of Homeland Security, a report on the activities of the Food and Agriculture Government Coordinating Council and the Food and Agriculture Sector Coordinating Council, including the progress of such Councils on—
(1) facilitating partnerships between public and private entities to help coordinate and enhance the protection of the agriculture and food system of the United States;
(2) providing for the regular and timely interchange of information between each council relating to the security of the agriculture and food system (including intelligence information);
(3) identifying best practices and methods for improving the coordination among Federal, State, local, and private sector preparedness and response plans for agriculture and food defense; and
(4) recommending methods by which to protect the economy and the public health of the United States from the effects of—
(A) animal or plant disease outbreaks;
(B) food contamination; and
(C) natural disasters affecting agriculture and food.
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§2204. Building domestic capacity
(a) In general
(1) Initial report
The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall, not later than 2 years after January 4, 2011, submit to Congress a comprehensive report that identifies programs and practices that are intended to promote the safety and supply chain security of food and to prevent outbreaks of foodborne illness and other food-related hazards that can be addressed through preventive activities. Such report shall include a description of the following:
(A) Analysis of the need for further regulations or guidance to industry.
(B) Outreach to food industry sectors, including through the Food and Agriculture Coordinating Councils referred to in
(C) Systems to ensure the prompt distribution to the food industry of information and technical assistance concerning preventive strategies.
(D) Communication systems to ensure that information about specific threats to the safety and security of the food supply are rapidly and effectively disseminated.
(E) Surveillance systems and laboratory networks to rapidly detect and respond to foodborne illness outbreaks and other food-related hazards, including how such systems and networks are integrated.
(F) Outreach, education, and training provided to States and local governments to build State and local food safety and food defense capabilities, including progress implementing strategies developed under
(G) The estimated resources needed to effectively implement the programs and practices identified in the report developed in this section over a 5-year period.
(H) The impact of requirements under this Act (including amendments made by this Act) on certified organic farms and facilities (as defined in
(I) Specific efforts taken pursuant to the agreements authorized under
(2) Biennial reports
On a biennial basis following the submission of the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that—
(A) reviews previous food safety programs and practices;
(B) outlines the success of those programs and practices;
(C) identifies future programs and practices; and
(D) includes information related to any matter described in subparagraphs (A) through (H) of paragraph (1), as necessary.
(b) Risk-based activities
The report developed under subsection (a)(1) shall describe methods that seek to ensure that resources available to the Secretary for food safety-related activities are directed at those actions most likely to reduce risks from food, including the use of preventive strategies and allocation of inspection resources. The Secretary shall promptly undertake those risk-based actions that are identified during the development of the report as likely to contribute to the safety and security of the food supply.
(c) Capability for laboratory analyses; research
The report developed under subsection (a)(1) shall provide a description of methods to increase capacity to undertake analyses of food samples promptly after collection, to identify new and rapid analytical techniques, including commercially-available techniques that can be employed at ports of entry and by Food Emergency Response Network laboratories, and to provide for well-equipped and staffed laboratory facilities and progress toward laboratory accreditation under
(d) Information technology
The report developed under subsection (a)(1) shall include a description of such information technology systems as may be needed to identify risks and receive data from multiple sources, including foreign governments, State, local, and tribal governments, other Federal agencies, the food industry, laboratories, laboratory networks, and consumers. The information technology systems that the Secretary describes shall also provide for the integration of the facility registration system under
(e) Automated risk assessment
The report developed under subsection (a)(1) shall include a description of progress toward developing and improving an automated risk assessment system for food safety surveillance and allocation of resources.
(f) Traceback and surveillance report
The Secretary shall include in the report developed under subsection (a)(1) an analysis of the Food and Drug Administration's performance in foodborne illness outbreaks during the 5-year period preceding January 4, 2011, involving fruits and vegetables that are raw agricultural commodities (as defined in
(g) Biennial food safety and food defense research plan
The Secretary, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, on a biennial basis, submit to Congress a joint food safety and food defense research plan which may include studying the long-term health effects of foodborne illness. Such biennial plan shall include a list and description of projects conducted during the previous 2-year period and the plan for projects to be conducted during the subsequent 2-year period.
(h) Effectiveness of programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services
(1) In general
To determine whether existing Federal programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services are effective in achieving the stated goals of such programs, the Secretary shall, beginning not later than 1 year after January 4, 2011—
(A) conduct an annual evaluation of each program of such Department to determine the effectiveness of each such program in achieving legislated intent, purposes, and objectives; and
(B) submit to Congress a report concerning such evaluation.
(2) Content
The report described under paragraph (1)(B) shall—
(A) include conclusions concerning the reasons that such existing programs have proven successful or not successful and what factors contributed to such conclusions;
(B) include recommendations for consolidation and elimination to reduce duplication and inefficiencies in such programs at such Department as identified during the evaluation conduct 3 under this subsection; and
(C) be made publicly available in a publication entitled "Guide to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Programs".
(i) Unique identification numbers
(1) In general
Not later than 1 year after January 4, 2011, the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall conduct a study regarding the need for, and challenges associated with, development and implementation of a program that requires a unique identification number for each food facility registered with the Secretary and, as appropriate, each broker that imports food into the United States. Such study shall include an evaluation of the costs associated with development and implementation of such a system, and make recommendations about what new authorities, if any, would be necessary to develop and implement such a system.
(2) Report
Not later than 15 months after January 4, 2011, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes the findings of the study conducted under paragraph (1) and that includes any recommendations determined appropriate by the Secretary.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Secretary, referred to in subsecs. (a), (b), (d), (f), (g), (h)(1), and (i), probably means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
This Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(H), is
Section 201, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(I), and section 202, referred to in subsec. (c), mean sections 201 and 202, respectively, of
1 So in original. Probably should be "title)."
2 See References in Text note below.
3 So in original. Probably should be "conducted".
§2205. Food allergy and anaphylaxis management
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Early childhood education program
The term "early childhood education program" means—
(A) a Head Start program or an Early Head Start program carried out under the Head Start Act (
(B) a State licensed or regulated child care program or school; or
(C) a State prekindergarten program that serves children from birth through kindergarten.
(2) ESEA definitions
The terms "local educational agency", "secondary school", "elementary school", and "parent" have the meanings given the terms in
(3) School
The term "school" includes public—
(A) kindergartens;
(B) elementary schools; and
(C) secondary schools.
(4) Secretary
The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(b) Establishment of voluntary food allergy and anaphylaxis management guidelines
(1) Establishment
(A) In general
Not later than 1 year after January 4, 2011, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall—
(i) develop guidelines to be used on a voluntary basis to develop plans for individuals to manage the risk of food allergy and anaphylaxis in schools and early childhood education programs; and
(ii) make such guidelines available to local educational agencies, schools, early childhood education programs, and other interested entities and individuals to be implemented on a voluntary basis only.
(B) Applicability of FERPA
Each plan described in subparagraph (A) that is developed for an individual shall be considered an education record for the purpose of
(2) Contents
The voluntary guidelines developed by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall address each of the following and may be updated as the Secretary determines necessary:
(A) Parental obligation to provide the school or early childhood education program, prior to the start of every school year, with—
(i) documentation from their child's physician or nurse—
(I) supporting a diagnosis of food allergy, and any risk of anaphylaxis, if applicable;
(II) identifying any food to which the child is allergic;
(III) describing, if appropriate, any prior history of anaphylaxis;
(IV) listing any medication prescribed for the child for the treatment of anaphylaxis;
(V) detailing emergency treatment procedures in the event of a reaction;
(VI) listing the signs and symptoms of a reaction; and
(VII) assessing the child's readiness for self-administration of prescription medication; and
(ii) a list of substitute meals that may be offered to the child by school or early childhood education program food service personnel.
(B) The creation and maintenance of an individual plan for food allergy management, in consultation with the parent, tailored to the needs of each child with a documented risk for anaphylaxis, including any procedures for the self-administration of medication by such children in instances where—
(i) the children are capable of self-administering medication; and
(ii) such administration is not prohibited by State law.
(C) Communication strategies between individual schools or early childhood education programs and providers of emergency medical services, including appropriate instructions for emergency medical response.
(D) Strategies to reduce the risk of exposure to anaphylactic causative agents in classrooms and common school or early childhood education program areas such as cafeterias.
(E) The dissemination of general information on life-threatening food allergies to school or early childhood education program staff, parents, and children.
(F) Food allergy management training of school or early childhood education program personnel who regularly come into contact with children with life-threatening food allergies.
(G) The authorization and training of school or early childhood education program personnel to administer epinephrine when the nurse is not immediately available.
(H) The timely accessibility of epinephrine by school or early childhood education program personnel when the nurse is not immediately available.
(I) The creation of a plan contained in each individual plan for food allergy management that addresses the appropriate response to an incident of anaphylaxis of a child while such child is engaged in extracurricular programs of a school or early childhood education program, such as non-academic outings and field trips, before- and after-school programs or before- and after-early child education program programs,1 and school-sponsored or early childhood education program-sponsored programs held on weekends.
(J) Maintenance of information for each administration of epinephrine to a child at risk for anaphylaxis and prompt notification to parents.
(K) Other elements the Secretary determines necessary for the management of food allergies and anaphylaxis in schools and early childhood education programs.
(3) Relation to State law
Nothing in this section or the guidelines developed by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall be construed to preempt State law, including any State law regarding whether students at risk for anaphylaxis may self-administer medication.
(c) School-based food allergy management grants
(1) In general
The Secretary may award grants to local educational agencies to assist such agencies with implementing voluntary food allergy and anaphylaxis management guidelines described in subsection (b).
(2) Application
(A) In general
To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a local educational agency shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and including such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
(B) Contents
Each application submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include—
(i) an assurance that the local educational agency has developed plans in accordance with the food allergy and anaphylaxis management guidelines described in subsection (b);
(ii) a description of the activities to be funded by the grant in carrying out the food allergy and anaphylaxis management guidelines, including—
(I) how the guidelines will be carried out at individual schools served by the local educational agency;
(II) how the local educational agency will inform parents and students of the guidelines in place;
(III) how school nurses, teachers, administrators, and other school-based staff will be made aware of, and given training on, when applicable, the guidelines in place; and
(IV) any other activities that the Secretary determines appropriate;
(iii) an itemization of how grant funds received under this subsection will be expended;
(iv) a description of how adoption of the guidelines and implementation of grant activities will be monitored; and
(v) an agreement by the local educational agency to report information required by the Secretary to conduct evaluations under this subsection.
(3) Use of funds
Each local educational agency that receives a grant under this subsection may use the grant funds for the following:
(A) Purchase of materials and supplies, including limited medical supplies such as epinephrine and disposable wet wipes, to support carrying out the food allergy and anaphylaxis management guidelines described in subsection (b).
(B) In partnership with local health departments, school nurse, teacher, and personnel training for food allergy management.
(C) Programs that educate students as to the presence of, and policies and procedures in place related to, food allergies and anaphylactic shock.
(D) Outreach to parents.
(E) Any other activities consistent with the guidelines described in subsection (b).
(4) Duration of awards
The Secretary may award grants under this subsection for a period of not more than 2 years. In the event the Secretary conducts a program evaluation under this subsection, funding in the second year of the grant, where applicable, shall be contingent on a successful program evaluation by the Secretary after the first year.
(5) Limitation on grant funding
The Secretary may not provide grant funding to a local educational agency under this subsection after such local educational agency has received 2 years of grant funding under this subsection.
(6) Maximum amount of annual awards
A grant awarded under this subsection may not be made in an amount that is more than $50,000 annually.
(7) Priority
In awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to local educational agencies with the highest percentages of children who are counted under
(8) Matching funds
(A) In general
The Secretary may not award a grant under this subsection unless the local educational agency agrees that, with respect to the costs to be incurred by such local educational agency in carrying out the grant activities, the local educational agency shall make available (directly or through donations from public or private entities) non-Federal funds toward such costs in an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the amount of the grant.
(B) Determination of amount of non-Federal contribution
Non-Federal funds required under subparagraph (A) may be cash or in kind, including plant, equipment, or services. Amounts provided by the Federal Government, and any portion of any service subsidized by the Federal Government, may not be included in determining the amount of such non-Federal funds.
(9) Administrative funds
A local educational agency that receives a grant under this subsection may use not more than 2 percent of the grant amount for administrative costs related to carrying out this subsection.
(10) Progress and evaluations
At the completion of the grant period referred to in paragraph (4), a local educational agency shall provide the Secretary with information on how grant funds were spent and the status of implementation of the food allergy and anaphylaxis management guidelines described in subsection (b).
(11) Supplement, not supplant
Grant funds received under this subsection shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, non-Federal funds and any other Federal funds available to carry out the activities described in this subsection.
(12) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2011 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.
(d) Voluntary nature of guidelines
(1) In general
The food allergy and anaphylaxis management guidelines developed by the Secretary under subsection (b) are voluntary. Nothing in this section or the guidelines developed by the Secretary under subsection (b) shall be construed to require a local educational agency to implement such guidelines.
(2) Exception
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary may enforce an agreement by a local educational agency to implement food allergy and anaphylaxis management guidelines as a condition of the receipt of a grant under subsection (c).
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Head Start Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A), is subchapter B (§635 et seq.) of
Amendments
2015—Subsec. (a)(2).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Amendment by
§2206. Alcohol-related facilities
(a) In general
Except as provided by sections 102, 206, 207, 302, 304, 402, 403, and 404 of this Act, and the amendments made by such sections, nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to apply to a facility that—
(1) under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (
(2) under
(b) Limited receipt and distribution of non-alcohol food
Subsection (a) shall not apply to a facility engaged in the receipt and distribution of any non-alcohol food, except that such paragraph shall apply to a facility described in such paragraph that receives and distributes non-alcohol food, provided such food is received and distributed—
(1) in a prepackaged form that prevents any direct human contact with such food; and
(2) in amounts that constitute not more than 5 percent of the overall sales of such facility, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury.
(c) Rule of construction
Except as provided in subsections (a) and (b), this section shall not be construed to exempt any food, other than alcoholic beverages, as defined in section 214 1 of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
This Act, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (c), is
The Federal Alcohol Administration Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (c), is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814,
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.