The microbial safety of “ready-to-eat” (RTE) foods is a hot topic that ASTA is hearing a lot about when it comes to implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet published guidance regarding classifying and processing RTE foods. In these “frequently asked questions” (FAQs), ASTA is sharing information on positions FDA could take on RTE based on the preambles to the FSMA final rules, talks that FDA officials have given, information published in the update to the spice draft risk profile, informal conversations with FDA officials, and other published FDA draft guidance. ASTA has produced these FAQs in order to help members understand FDA’s current thinking on RTE foods, but we note that we have not received input on this document from FDA.

This webinar was presented by Maile Gradison, ASTA's General Counsel and partner at Hogan Lovells, and Anneke Altieri, Senior Associate with Hogan Lovells. The presentation will review FDA draft guidance published on January 6, 2025, intended to help manufacturers of Low-Moisture Ready-to-Eat (LMRTE) human foods, such as spices, establish sanitation programs and take appropriate corrective actions following a pathogen contamination event.