Thursday, February 20, 2014

OSHA Seeking Comments on Interim Final Rule Under Food Safety Modernization Act

OSHA has published an interim final rule to address retaliation complaints under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and is seeking public comments.

FSMA provides protection from retaliation to employees who report potential violations of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Whistleblowers who report possible violations by businesses engaged in the manufacture, processing, packing, transporting, distribution, reception, holding or importation of food are protected from retaliation under the current law. The interim final rule establishes procedures, burdens of proof, remedies and statutes of limitations, similar to the other whistleblower protection statutes administered by OSHA.

Comments can be submitted until April 14, 2014, at http://www.regulations.gov, or via mail or facsimile. See the Federal Register notice for more information.