- As previously reported, FDA will host a three-day virtual meeting on October 19-21, 2021 to discuss the safety of foods sold online and delivered directly to consumers. FDA provides that there has been an increasing number of consumers ordering their food online, and that number has dramatically increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Summit will address a variety of topics related to human and animal foods sold through Business to Consumer (B2C) e-commerce, including:
- Types of B2C e-commerce models (e.g., produce and meal kit subscription services, ghost kitchens, dark stores);
- Safety risks associated with foods sold through B2C e-commerce;
- Standards of care used by industry to control these safety risks;
- Types of delivery models (e.g., third-party delivery, autonomous delivery models);
- Regulatory approaches to food sold through B2C e-commerce, including challenges and gaps that need to be addressed; and
- Labeling of foods sold through B2C e-commerce.
- There will be opportunities for public comment each day; however, participants who wish to speak during the public comment sessions must register with FDA by October 8, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.