AAR, Railinc, Ag Shippers Team on Food Safety

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
A new online portal will identify “the last contents hauled in a particular railcar to continue to ensure the highest food safety standards are met and to comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s food sanitary transportation rules,” AAR said.

A new online portal will identify “the last contents hauled in a particular railcar to continue to ensure the highest food safety standards are met and to comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s food sanitary transportation rules,” AAR said.

The Association of American Railroads (AAR), Railinc and a coalition of agricultural shippers will launch in late 2021 an online portal that will provide greater visibility into the most recent commodities hauled in covered hoppers.

The portal will identify “the [most recent] contents hauled in a particular railcar to continue to ensure the highest food safety standards are met and to comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s food sanitary transportation rules under the Food Safety Modernization Act,” according to AAR. Its use will help prevent potential cross-contact with food allergens, the association noted.

Railinc is developing the portal with a secure, searchable user interface.

NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert (Photo by Louis Tinsley/DC Corporate Headshots)

“Thanks to funding and leadership provided by AAR and Railinc, agricultural shippers will have access to a reliable resource to obtain information on the last three loads hauled in railcars, which is crucial to food safety and regulatory compliance,” National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) President and CEO Mike Seyfert said. “NGFA also is grateful to the operational and technical experts representing industry users on a joint working group that was engaged at the outset in designing this new resource to ensure it has the functionality companies need.”

The working group comprises representatives from NGFA, North American Millers Association, National Oilseed Processors Association, Pet Food Institute, and American Bakers Association.

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