The term "FDA code" is most likely referring to the Food Code, which provides best practice guidelines for safe food handling in retail settings.
Understanding the Food Code
The Food Code, developed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), isn't a law itself. Instead, it's a model that state, local, tribal, and federal regulators can use to develop or update their own food safety rules.
- Purpose: To prevent foodborne illnesses and ensure food safety in restaurants, supermarkets, and other retail food establishments. According to the FDA reference text, it has significantly reduced the risk for foodborne illness within retail establishments, thus strengthening consumer confidence in the safety of the food we eat from supermarkets and restaurants.
- Scope: Covers various aspects of food safety, including:
- Food source and storage.
- Preparation and cooking.
- Personal hygiene of food handlers.
- Cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and utensils.
- Facility design and maintenance.
- Impact: By implementing the Food Code's recommendations, retail food establishments can minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses, protect public health, and maintain consumer trust.
While the FDA itself doesn't directly enforce the Food Code (that's the role of state and local authorities), its guidance is widely adopted and plays a crucial role in shaping food safety standards across the United States. Therefore, "FDA code" is interpreted as the FDA Food Code, a model for best practices in retail food settings.
