WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed an exemption for certain cottage cheese products from the Food Traceability Rule. This rule mandates extra recordkeeping for foods on the Food Traceability List.
The proposal would exempt Grade “A” cottage cheese listed on the Interstate Milk Shippers List. This specific type of cottage cheese follows standards set by the Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO).
The PMO contains the latest science-based guidelines for the safe production and processing of Grade “A” milk products, including cottage cheese. Much of the cottage cheese in the U.S. falls under this regulation, managed by the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS). The NCIMS, in partnership with the FDA, ensures that milk products shipped across state lines meet sanitary standards through the Interstate Milk Shippers Program.
If approved, this exemption would simplify recordkeeping for producers of Grade “A” cottage cheese. The FDA believes that existing regulations under the PMO already ensure the safety and traceability of these products.
This move reflects ongoing efforts to balance food safety with practical regulatory requirements for the dairy industry. The proposed change aims to maintain high safety standards while reducing administrative burdens on producers.
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