2022 FDA Food Code Clarifies that Retail Food Donations are Allowed
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) 2022 Food Code helps reduce barriers to food donations by clarifying that food donations from retail food establishments are acceptable, given that proper food safety practices are followed. While the Food Code never prohibited such donation practices, FDA made the update to explicitly state that such practices are acceptable.
FDA encourages donation of food that is stored, prepared, packaged, displayed, and labeled according to applicable provisions contained in the Food Code or local, state, and federal statutes, regulations, and ordinances.