A rejected shipment at the border. A customer recall. An FDA warning letter. These aren’t hypothetical risks—they’re what happens when FSMA compliance fails. For food shippers moving temperature-sensitive goods, understanding and meeting FSMA requirements isn’t just about following regulations—it’s about protecting your products, your customers, and your reputation.
At CFI Perishables, compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) isn’t just a requirement—it’s embedded in every step of our cold chain process. If you’re a shipper moving produce, seafood, or other perishables, here’s what you need to know to stay compliant and protect your brand.
What Is FSMA—and Why Does It Matter?
Signed into law in 2011 and fully implemented in 2017, FSMA represents the most comprehensive update to U.S. food safety laws in over 70 years. Passed by Congress and enforced by the FDA, it fundamentally shifts the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it.
One key component is the Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food Rule, which governs how food is transported to prevent contamination, spoilage, and unsafe conditions. Here’s what matters most: shippers are legally responsible for ensuring their freight complies with these standards—even when working with third-party carriers or freight forwarders.
FSMA Sanitary Transportation Rule: What’s Required
The Sanitary Transportation Rule establishes five core requirements that apply throughout the cold chain. Shippers must confirm these standards are met with every move:
Equipment Cleanliness: Trailers and containers must be clean, sanitized, and suitable for transporting food—free from contamination risks.
Temperature Control: Temperature-sensitive freight to be consumed by humans and animals must be maintained within safe temperature ranges throughout transit, with no breaks in the cold chain.
Preventing Cross-Contamination: Processes must prevent food from coming into contact with non-food items, allergens, or other contamination sources during loading, transit, and unloading.
Training Requirements: Carriers, loaders, and handlers must be trained in sanitary handling practices and in compliance with FDA food safety guidelines.
Recordkeeping: Temperature logs, cleaning procedures, and load documentation must be maintained and made accessible for inspection.
At CFI Perishables, these aren’t boxes to check—they’re part of our everyday operational culture.
The Shipper’s Role in FSMA Compliance
Under FSMA, shippers bear significant legal responsibility. Simply handing off cargo to a carrier isn’t enough. Shippers must actively ensure compliance by specifying transportation requirements in writing—including temperature range, trailer conditions, and handling protocols—and verifying carrier capabilities before releasing cargo. This includes maintaining documentation of all requirements and communications, and working exclusively with trained, compliant carriers for both domestic and international moves.
At CFI, we collaborate closely with shippers and freight forwarders to ensure all FSMA requirements are understood, documented, and executed from origin to destination.
How CFI Perishables Supports FSMA Compliance
At CFI, our “Cold Chain as a Culture” model means FSMA compliance isn’t a one-time training—it’s a system built into every operation:
- Temperature-controlled infrastructure: Validated trailers and warehouses monitored throughout the cold chain
- Real-time tracking and alerts: GPS and temperature monitoring with immediate response protocols for any deviations
- Documented sanitation protocols: Comprehensive cleaning procedures for all equipment and facilities
- Specialized training: All team members handling food freight are trained in cross-contamination prevention, hygienic practices, and FDA guidelines
- End-to-end coordination: We work with receivers to ensure product isn’t exposed to non-compliant unloading or staging environments
Whether your perishables are moving domestically or heading overseas, we ensure they stay safe, fresh, and compliant from origin to handoff.
FSMA Isn’t Just Regulation—It’s Risk Protection
Non-compliance carries consequences that extend far beyond regulatory penalties. Failure to follow FSMA protocols can result in shipment rejections, product recalls, legal exposure, FDA enforcement action, and damaged customer trust. Each of these outcomes threatens not just a single shipment, but your customer relationships and brand reputation.
Choosing an FSMA-compliant carrier like CFI helps protect not just your cargo, but the business relationships and market position you’ve worked hard to build.
Final Takeaway
If you’re a food shipper, FSMA compliance isn’t optional—and your carrier should make it effortless. CFI Perishables delivers FSMA-compliant, temperature-controlled shipping every time—backed by training, documentation, and full visibility.
Let’s keep your perishables safe, your shipments compliant, and your brand protected.
Contact CFI Perishables today to discuss how we can support your cold chain logistics needs with full FSMA compliance built in. With cold chain operations at LAX, SEA, JFK, MIA, ORD, IAH, BOS, SFO, ANC, DFW, ITO, KOA, LIH, HNL, OGG, YHZ, YVR, GDL, MEX, and global handoff points, CFI supports a worldwide supply chain that demands both speed and accuracy. We’re not just transporting freight—we’re safeguarding value, freshness, and trust at every step.
Ready to move perishables with confidence? Reach out to our team.
