Thursday, January 27, 2022

Supply Chain Disruption

Assistance with Supply Chain Disruptions for Food and Agriculture Industry

The FDA has been working closely with the food industry and other government partners throughout the pandemic to continuously monitor the impact of COVID-19. We understand the severe impact the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic is having on the food and agriculture industry, including the health and safety of workers and their families. Labor shortages, transportation challenges, packaging shortages, international import delays and severe weather continue to contribute to disruptions in U.S. food supply chains that ultimately impact consumers.

The FDA would like to share information about access to assistance if you are experiencing supply chain disruptions:

Report Supply Chain Problems/Request Assistance from the FDA

Food facilities and farms can continue to report a closure or a reduction in operations and/or request assistance for a human food establishment regulated by the FDA, excluding restaurant, retail food establishments, and animal food operations. Read the full guidance for additional information.

Report Closure/Reduction and/or Request Assistance

Food and Agriculture Sector

The Food and Agriculture Sector Coordinating Council (SCC) serves as the primary private industry-led policy coordination and planning entity to collaborate with the FDA, the US Department of Agriculture, the US Department of Homeland Security and the Food and Agriculture Government Coordinating Council (GCC), among others, to address the entire range of critical infrastructure security and resilience activities and sector-specific issues.

If you wish to become involved with, or are a member of the Food and Agriculture SCC, or if your food firm/business is experiencing supply chain disruptions, you may contact the chairman of the SCC, Clay Detlefsen, Esq., Senior Vice President, Environmental and Regulatory Affairs & Staff Counsel; National Milk Producers Federation at cdetlefsen@nmpf.org.

Temporary Policies

The FDA has issued temporary guidance to provide regulatory flexibility, where appropriate, to help minimize the impact of supply chain disruptions on product availability associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic. These temporary policies remain in effect. Details about each appear at the following links:

Links to Key Resources

Vaccinating Migrant/Migratory and Seasonal Food and Agriculture Workers (CDC)


Source: Food Industry Business Roundtable