Iron Apple International and UFSTP to collaborate on FSMA compliance training and solutions for carr

Firms to cooperate on and promote services to help carriers navigate the compliance and competitive challenges of the FDA food safety transportation ruletor carriers pledge to comply with sanitary food transportation standards shippers will expect under new FDA rule

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA AND HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA – TransComply, manager of the Uniform Food Safety Transportation Protocol (UFSTP) program, and Iron Apple, a leading supplier of food safety compliance solutions for food transport, have agreed to cooperate to provide compliance training and solutions that help motor carriers and brokers comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food (STF) rule and promote that compliance to the shipping community. Many shippers and brokers are insisting that all carriers regardless of size provide evidence that they comply with the minimum standards.

FDA’s STF rule is one of several major regulations stemming from the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Carriers with more than $27.5 million in annual revenue were required to comply as of April 6, and all other carriers with more than $500,000 in revenue must comply by April 6, 2018.

Under the companies’ agreement, TransComply and Iron Apple will consult on the development of complementary services to carriers and brokers that transport perishable food regulated by FSMA. In addition, the UFSTP program will inform program applicants and prospects regarding Iron Apple’s solutions to help carriers comply with the various requirements of the FDA rule related to training; record keeping; equipment and operational management; trailer cleanliness; and temperature control. Iron Apple also offers a third-party verification and audit solution for carriers.

Likewise, Iron Apple will inform and promote the benefits of participating in the UFSTP program, a privately managed registry of carriers that have committed contractually to comply with the applicable requirements of the FDA rule. The UFSTP program’s primary goal is to ensure that compliant carriers of all sizes are recognized by shippers and brokers for embracing best practices in the safe handling of perishable food.

“We are impressed with Iron Apple’s expertise in food safety practices specific to transportation and view the company’s training and compliance offerings as sound options for UFSTP applicants if they need help implementing the various requirements of the FDA rule and the UFSTP,” says Avery Vise, president of TransComply.

“We are very much looking forward to working with TransComply, the cooperation between the services offered is aimed directly at motor carriers and brokers,” says Hugh Latimer, COO of Iron Apple International. “This shared partnership will really help provide an overall solution for both carriers and brokers, especially the companies who previously have not been required to have their own food safety standards in place."

The Iron Apple certified food safety solution is aimed at motor carriers and brokers who are responsible for transporting food throughout North America. Providing all procedures, policies, forms, employee training, workflow and documents needed for the company to meet regulatory requirements. A yearly review by a third-party auditing partner is completed to ensure all areas of the solution are being followed properly throughout the company. Carriers and brokers receive all materials needed to comply, reducing personal risk and increasing brand confidence.

Launched in December, the UFSTP program is being used by numerous brokers and shippers to vet carriers for perishable food loads in the spot market. Participating carriers execute the UFSTP agreement, which can be incorporated into contracts and load confirmations by reference. TransComply also continually monitors cargo and bodily injury/property damage insurance coverage and the status of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration authority. Currently, more than 350 carriers have completed all UFSTP requirements and are listed as verified carriers at www.ufstp.com/verify.

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About the UFSTP The Uniform Food Safety Transportation Protocol (UFSTP) offers a way for carriers, brokers, and shippers to simplify the confirmation of carriers’ compliance with the requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rule on the sanitary transportation of food. For more information, visit www.ufstp.com. The program is managed by TransComply, a compliance support firm that helps motor carrier operations comply with safety regulations and steer clear of major threats to their businesses. For more information, visit www.transcomply.com.

About Iron Apple Iron Apple International is a leading supplier of professional food safety solutions to companies involved in the transportation of food products throughout North America. They are the first firm to develop a national Preventive Controls/HACCP program for distribution centers and warehouses. The Food Safety Solution that simplified compliance with these new Canadian and U.S. regulations has been developed and tested over the past three years. For more information, visit www.ironapple.net or www.fsmaexpress.com.