Although the FDA has characterized the risk of food contamination during transportation as “low,” a proposed FDA regulation, entitled “Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food” will impose new restrictions which all companies in the food supply chain—distribution center leaders in particular — must understand.

The draft rule, published in January 2014 under the Food Safety Modernization Act, received hundreds of suggestions from the industry during an extended notice and comment period, although it is unclear to what extent the FDA will ultimately incorporate industry suggestions. One thing, however, is known: the rule, as it stands, would be costly for food warehouses, even those currently employing Good Manufacturing Processes.