The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Reportable Food Registry (RFR) logged 1,153 entries from Sept. 8, 2010 – Sept. 7, 2011, it’s second full year of reporting.

Among the highlights:

• 225 primary reports – initial reports about a safety concern with a food or animal feed (including food ingredients);
• 483 subsequent reports from suppliers or recipients of a food or feed for which a primary report had been submitted; and,
• 174 amended reports to correct or add information to previously submitted reports.

Reports were received from both domestic and foreign sources.

The 225 primary reports for Year 2 involved products in 22 commodity categories. Salmonella accounted for 38.2 percent of hazards, Undeclared Allergens accounted for 33.3 percent, and Listeria monocytogenes accounted for 17.8 percent.

The report notes that the RFR findings have spurred efforts to improve preventive measures in affected commodity areas, both by industry and FDA, and are helping the agency better target its inspection and sampling activities.

The RFR requires manufacturers, processors, packers and holders (warehousers, distributors, etc.) of FDA-regulated foods/feeds to quickly report to FDA via the online Safety Reporting Portal any foods, feeds or ingredients that could result in serious adverse health consequences to humans or animals. Reportable food submissions provide early warning to FDA about potential public health risks and increase the speed with which the agency and its partners at the state and local levels can investigate the reports and take appropriate follow-up action, including ensuring that the reportable foods are removed from commerce when necessary.