The FDA has issued the 2022 edition of the FDA Food Code, which contains some significant changes, including:

• Adding sesame as a major food allergen to reflect that the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act of 2021 established sesame as the 9th major food allergen
• Informing consumers, in writing, of major food allergens as ingredients in unpackaged food
• Adding labeling of major food allergens in bulk food that is available for consumer self-dispensing
• Creating new requirements for the allowance of pet dogs in outdoor dining spaces
• Revising the definition of intact meat, including enhancements to clarify time/temperature cooking requirements

For the first time, the FDA Food Code specifically addresses food donations, included as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. The National Strategy, which was rolled out in September at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, provides a roadmap of actions the federal government is taking to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030.

The FDA noted that the 2022 edition reflects the input of regulatory officials, industry, academia, and consumers that participated in the 2020 biennial meeting of the Conference for Food Protection (CFP).

The Food Code is offered for adoption by local, state, and federal governmental jurisdictions for administration by the various departments, agencies, bureaus, divisions, and other units within each jurisdiction that have been delegated compliance responsibilities for food service, retail food stores, or food vending operations. Alternatives that offer an equivalent level of public health protection to ensure that food at retail and food service is safe are recognized in the Food Code.

View a full list of the Summary of Changes.