The intent of Title III Subtitle A is to provide a rapid response forward and backward traceability records program to better protect FDA regulated food supplies from bioterrorism and any other potential food hazard caused by negligence. Under the law, FDA was required to publish requirements to support the implementation and enforcement of this Bioterrorism Act in the Code of Federal Regulations no later than December 12, 2003. Following publication, companies with 500 or more employees have six months to comply. Companies with between 11 and 499 employees have 12 months. Companies with 10 or less employees have 18 months to comply.
The FDA is promulgating regulations for four sections of the law. They are Sections 305 Registration of Food Facilities, Section 306 Establishment & Maintenance of Records, Section 307 Prior Notice of Imported Food Shipments, and Section 308 Administrative Detention Authority. Other FDA and government initiatives designed to implement the intent of the law impact the food industry, including an FDA guidance entitled "Food Producers, Processors, and Transporters: Food Security Preventive Measures Guidance" and the US CBP Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. Current information on FDA actions supporting this bioterrorism legislation can be found at www.fda.gov/oc/bioterrorism/bioact.html.