Topic > Concerns about the safety of human and animal food during...

IntroductionIssues regarding the safety of human and animal food during transportation to and within the United States are concerns that are raising the attention of both the public American than the United States Food and Drug Administration. Some of the major concerns include improper handling of food products, lack of proper temperature control in which food is stored, cross-contamination concerns, lack of adequate equipment for loading food products before they are transported to other areas of the country and the lack of security. In order for these problems to be solved and restore an adequate and healthy means of transporting human and animal food, it is necessary to address the problems, which is why ideal regulations of Sanitary transportation of human and animal food has been established under which the Food transportation will be carried out in safe and healthy conditions for human and animal consumption. It is estimated that approximately 200 billion tons of human and animal food products are transported globally to the United States each year, including approximately 35% by land, 60% by sea, and approximately 5% by air. The history behind the regulation dates back to the 1980s, when trucks hauling food from the Midwest for delivery to the East and West Coasts hauled trash on their trips. This led to the implementation of the Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 1990 to help prevent the transportation of waste by truck or any mode of transportation intended for transporting food. Recent federal regulations indicate that food products must be protected from physical, microbial, and chemical contamination when no transportation programs are in place. Additionally, USDA should include an evaluation function in any new programs it establishes. While it is easy to focus on smaller carriers, the USDA should also pay more attention to resources allocated to the appropriate branch of the industry. State-level outreach is usually the most efficient technique for reaching small carriers. A more efficient program consideration would be to create an online resource location that also assists in providing security support for registered users. Conclusion Implementation of the regulation not only helps in the prevention of food contamination during the transportation process, but also helps prevent numerous foodborne illnesses that could cause a high rate of mobility and mortality in the United States, not to mention the impact what this will have on healthcare costs.