Docket Number:
FDA-2016-D-2841
Issued by:
Guidance Issuing Office
Center for Veterinary Medicine
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
Office of the Commissioner, Office of Policy, Legislation, and International Affairs, Office of Policy

This guidance concerns four of the seven foundational rules that we have established in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR) as part of our implementation of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA; Pub. L. 111–353).

Four Rules

This guidance is intended for any entity that is subject to certain provisions (in part 117, part 507, the produce safety regulation, or the FSVP regulation) that require a disclosure statement, in documents accompanying food, that certain hazards have not been controlled by that entity. This guidance is not intended to address other requirements of part 117, part 507, the produce safety regulation, or the FSVP regulation.

FDA's guidance documents, including this guidance, do not establish legally enforceable responsibilities. Instead, guidances describe our current thinking on a topic and should be viewed only as recommendations, unless specific regulatory or statutory requirements are cited. The use of the word should in FDA guidances means that something is suggested or recommended, but not required.

Download the Draft Guidance

This draft guidance, when finalized, will represent the current thinking of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) on this topic. It does not establish any rights for any person and is not binding on FDA or the public. You can use an alternative approach if it satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. To discuss an alternative approach, contact FDA’s Technical Assistance Network by submitting a form.


Related Information


Submit Comments

You can submit online or written comments on any guidance at any time (see 21 CFR 10.115(g)(5))

If unable to submit comments online, please mail written comments to:

Dockets Management
Food and Drug Administration
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All written comments should be identified with this document's docket number: FDA-2016-D-2841.