What the Food Industry Needs to Know about the FDA Food Traceability Proposed Rule

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

Our Purpose and Commitment

OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

who frontpage

member frontpage

Join a Community that Champions, Connects, and Elevates!

Your Essential Connection in West Virginia

OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

The proposed rule on food traceability is in response to Section 204 of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and applies to those who manufacture, process, pack or hold foods on the Food Traceability List.

By: Hilary Thesmar, PhD, RD CFS Chief Food and Product Safety Officer and Stephanie Harris, Chief Regulatory Officer & General Counsel, FMI  <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/traceability-fda.tmb-large-350-.png?sfvrsn=ae3baadd_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Traceability FDA" title="Traceability FDA" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;" />On September 23, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a proposed rule <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/09/23/2020-20100/requirements-for-additional-traceability-records-for-certain-foods" target="_blank">"Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods</a><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/09/23/2020-20100/requirements-for-additional-traceability-records-for-certain-foods">” (Food Traceability Proposed Rule).  </a>As you likely know, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) represented a significant change in the way food is regulated and produced with over a dozen FSMA rules that have been promulgated within the past decade. The recently released traceability proposed rule was one of the few remaining rules to be published under FSMA and represents a significant change in the recordkeeping requirements for the food industry.  The proposed rule on food traceability is in response to Section 204 of the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/full-text-food-safety-modernization-act-fsma">Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)</a> and applies to those who manufacture, process, pack or hold foods on the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/food-traceability-list" target="_blank">Food Traceability List. </a>Specifically, the proposed rule requires the food industry to establish and maintain records containing Key Data Elements (KDE) associated with different Critical Tracking Events (CTE). Additionally, the rule proposes recordkeeping requirements for high risk items on the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/food-traceability-list">Food Traceability List</a> that go well beyond standard industry practices. Due to the complexity and significant impact that the proposed rule will have on standard supply chain information sharing, we encourage all FMI members to review the rule and provide input to FMI during the comment period.   To introduce the details of the proposed rule, a <a href="https://www.fmi.org/events-education/webinars/member-only-webinars/view/webinar-recordings-member-only/2020/10/22/fda-s-food-traceability-proposed-rule-summary-of-the-proposed-requirements">webinar was held on October 21, 2020 by FMI</a>. Our goal was to explain the proposed rule to FMI members and begin the process for obtaining feedback to inform our comments.  The FDA is holding three <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/workshops-meetings-webinars-food-and-dietary-supplements/public-meetings-discuss-fsma-proposed-rule-requirements-additional-traceability-records-certain?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery">virtual public meetings</a> in November and December. FMI will be sharing thoughts at the first public meeting on November 6 and monitoring the other meetings. Pre-registration is required to participate in the public meetings through this <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/workshops-meetings-webinars-food-and-dietary-supplements/public-meetings-discuss-fsma-proposed-rule-requirements-additional-traceability-records-certain?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery">link.</a> <ul> <li>November 6, 2020, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EST</li> <li>November 18, 2020, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. EST</li> <li>December 2, 2020, 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. EST</li> </ul> Comments are due on November 23, 2020 on the information collection and January 21, 2020 for the proposed rule. An extension to the comment deadlines will be submitted, but it will be critical for the food industry to provide meaningful feedback to FDA to ensure a final rule is workable.  We welcome member input on this and all other regulatory issues.   <a href="https://www.fmi.org/events-education/webinars/member-only-webinars/view/webinar-recordings-member-only/2020/10/22/fda-s-food-traceability-proposed-rule-summary-of-the-proposed-requirements" class="button">FMI Webinar Recording and slides</a>

Read full article on FMI

Menus

Some of the main menus of the template are now set via the template parameters saving you having to set up menu modules for each menu. From this section you can choose what menus you would like connected with these pre assigned menu areas of the template.

Copyright Information

Enter the copyright information that will appear in the footer area of your template.

Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.