Reportable Food Registry (RFR)
An FDA electronic portal where food facilities must report when they identify a food that poses a serious health risk.
What It Means
The Reportable Food Registry (RFR) is an electronic portal established by the FDA in September 2009 under Section 417 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as added by the FDA Amendments Act of 2007. The RFR requires responsible parties (facilities registered with the FDA under Section 415 of the FD&C Act) to submit reports when there is a reasonable probability that a food manufactured, processed, packed, or held by the facility will cause serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals. Reportable foods include those that may be adulterated due to biological, chemical, physical, or radiological contamination. Reportable foods do not include dietary supplements, infant formula (which has its own reporting requirements), or foods that have already been recalled. When a facility submits an RFR report, the FDA evaluates the information and determines whether further action is needed, which may include initiating a recall, conducting an inspection, or issuing a public warning. The RFR serves as an early warning system that helps the FDA identify potential food safety problems before they result in widespread illness. Reports submitted through the RFR have led to the discovery of numerous contamination events and contributed to faster recall actions. The RFR data also helps the FDA identify trends in food safety hazards and target its inspection and surveillance resources more effectively.
Related Terms
FDA Food Recall
A voluntary or mandatory action by a firm to remove a food product from the market when it may be unsafe or mislabeled.
Adulteration
When a food product contains an unsafe substance, was processed under unsanitary conditions, or otherwise violates FDA safety standards.
FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act)
The landmark 2011 law that shifted FDA food regulation from reacting to contamination to preventing it.
Class I Recall
The most serious type of FDA recall, issued when a product could cause serious health problems or death.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Reportable Food Registry (RFR) mean?
An FDA electronic portal where food facilities must report when they identify a food that poses a serious health risk.
Why is Reportable Food Registry (RFR) important for food safety?
The Reportable Food Registry (RFR) is an electronic portal established by the FDA in September 2009 under Section 417 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as added by the FDA Amendments Act of 2007. The RFR requires responsible parties (facilities registered with the FDA under Section 415 of...