Skip to main content
          Skip to FDA Search
          Skip to in this section menu
          Skip to footer links


U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government

					Here’s how you know
          			Dot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
							      SSL**The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 
			U.S. Food and Drug Administration
				
        Search
            Menu
							
						Search FDA
									
									Submit search 
		Featured
							Contact FDA
	                FDA Guidance Documents
	                Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
	                Press Announcements
	                Warning Letters
	                Advisory Committees
	                En Español

					Products
            Food
							Drugs
							Medical Devices
							Radiation-Emitting Products
							Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
							Animal and Veterinary
							Cosmetics
							Tobacco ProductsTopics
            About FDA
							Combination Products
							Regulatory Information
							Safety
							Emergency Preparedness
							International Programs
							News and Events
							Training and Continuing Education
							Inspections and Compliance
							Science and ResearchInformation For
            Consumers
	            Patients
	            Industry
	            Health Professionals
	            Federal, State and Local Officials 
 In this section:

                Food Safety During Emergencies

Food Safety During Emergencies

                        Protect Food and Water During Hurricanes and Other Storms
          Radiation Safety in the Food Supply
          Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Home
          Food
          Recalls, Outbreaks & Emergencies
          Food Safety During Emergencies
          How to Dispose of Contaminated or Spoiled FoodFood Safety During Emergencies How to Dispose of Contaminated or Spoiled Food
  
  	
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    PrintProtect Food and Water During Storms Main Page

A Notice from the FDA to Growers, Food Manufacturers, Food Warehouse Managers, and Transporters of Food Products

Grain and vegetable crops, and food manufacturing facilities, food warehouses, and food transporters may be flooded or lose power as a result of hurricanes or other severe weather events, so the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is providing important tips on how to properly dispose of contaminated or spoiled food. For food products that should be destroyed see Notice to Food Industry and food products that may, under certain circumstances, be reconditioned for future use, see the FDA Investigations Operations Manual, Subchapter 8.5.

Disposing of Contaminated or Spoiled Food

Decisions about disposing of food products are usually made by the owner of the product, along with the appropriate state agency and local authorities. In determining which contaminated food products should be disposed of, reconditioned or salvaged, the owners of the products must assess each product's quality, safety and condition.

Depending on the applicable local, state, and Federal regulations, owners may be able to dispose of contaminated food products in a landfill, by incineration, or rendering.

Key questions to consider when disposing of contaminated food include:

What is (are) the contaminant(s)?
	How the contaminated food is categorized (e.g. hazardous waste, municipal waste, radiological waste, non-hazardous waste requiring special handling, or unknown)?
	What is the quantity of the contaminated product for disposal?
	Where is the final disposal facility?
	What are the logistics for moving the contaminated products from the site to the disposal facility?
	Is transportation required for the transfer of waste to the final disposal site?
	What are the required permits associated with the disposal process and how are they procured? Is assistance from state, local, and Federal government agencies required?
	Is there a health and safety protection plan for the workers who will be involved in the disposal process? If so, what is the plan?
	Who and what organizations will be involved in overseeing the disposal process?
	What organizations must be involved and concur with re-introducing the reconditioned product into the marketplace?Oversight

FDA oversight ensures proper disposal so that contaminated products cannot be introduced into the food supply. Likewise, oversight by the Environmental Protection Agency or environmental quality authorities ensures that the contaminated products are disposed of in a manner that protects against further contamination of air, groundwater, or soil.

Vehicles Used in Transporting Contaminated Food Products

For vehicles, equipment, or localized contamination in facilities, the state (with FDA consultation and oversight) makes a determination as to when and whether the decontaminated vehicles, equipment, or facilities may be used for their original food-related purposes or for other purposes. And importantly, food producers will require these government officials to reissue the appropriate permits for startup and operation as well as the release of impounded vehicles or equipment.

In the case where any of the contamination or cleanup may expose the workforce, then additionally food producers must consult with the Department of Labor/Occupational Safety and Health Administration

For further information, see Resources for Human and Animal Food Producers Affected by Flooding.

Related Information

Food Defense & Emergency Response for Retail Food
	Retail Food Protection Guidance Documents and Regulatory Information
	Retail & Food Service HACCP
	More Information about Retail Food Protection

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      02/05/2018
              
              
Regulated Product(s)
		 Food & BeveragesTopic(s)
			  EmergenciesFood Safety During Emergencies

          
                        Protect Food and Water During Hurricanes and Other Storms
          Radiation Safety in the Food Supply
          Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
 
 Footer Links
    FDA Archive
          About FDA
          Accessibility
      Visitor Information
          Website Policies / Privacy
          No FEAR Act
          Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
      FOIA
          HHS.gov
          USA.gov
    Contact FDA
      Follow FDA on Facebook
      Follow FDA on X
      Follow FDA on Instagram
      Follow FDA on LinkedIn
      View FDA videos on YouTube
      Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds
    FDA Homepage
    Contact Number
      1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) Back toTop