How New FDA Regulations in 2024 Are Revolutionizing Commercial Pest Control Requirements for Food Safety Compliance
The food safety landscape is undergoing significant changes as FDA enforcement continues to evolve in 2024. As evidenced by warning letter data over the past seven years, FDA commonly focuses on sanitation, pest control, general maintenance, and other traditional cGMP issues that have historically been a priority of food enforcement. Pest control concerns were one of the most frequently cited issues in warning letters to both human and animal food facilities. For businesses in the food industry, understanding these evolving requirements isn’t just about compliance—it’s about protecting your reputation, avoiding costly shutdowns, and ensuring the safety of consumers.
The Current State of FDA Food Safety Enforcement
FDA cited 100 violations of the sanitary operations requirements in § 117.35, the most-cited provision of part 117. The sanitary operations regulation, which was adapted from the original Part 110 cGMP regulations, addresses, among other things, pest control and general maintenance requirements. This data reveals that pest control isn’t just a minor concern—it’s at the heart of FDA enforcement actions.
New sanitation and structural requirements, such as ensuring proper ventilation to prevent bacterial growth and implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs are becoming standard expectations under the 2022 Food Code and its 2024 Supplement. These updates represent a shift from reactive to proactive pest management approaches.
Enhanced Documentation and Risk Assessment Requirements
One of the most significant changes affecting commercial pest control is the emphasis on comprehensive documentation. Under new FSMA requirements, you need to provide comprehensive documentation of all of this: risk assessments, identified pest issues, and the steps you’re taking to address existing issues and potential risks.
In fact, future audits will focus less and less on examining the facility itself and more and more on examining the documentation of risk-based corrective actions. Based on new FSMA requirements, auditors will now expect to find comprehensive documentation of the issues and risks that you’ve identified in the past, the corrective actions you’ve defined as a result—and proof of progress with these corrective actions.
Proactive Corrective Actions Are Now Mandatory
The traditional approach of “no pests in traps means no problem” is no longer acceptable. In the spirit of preventing adulteration, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now expects a facility to actively look for opportunities to continually improve pest mitigation—and proactively take corrective actions—regardless of whether they’re having acute pest issues.
This shift means that food facilities must continuously evaluate and improve their pest control strategies. Manufacturers should critically assess their pest control processes and strategies (e.g., frequency and extent of trash removal, cleaning of break rooms, maintenance checks of exterior walls and doors) and ensure they implement enhancements proactively before a problem develops.
Industry Best Practices and Compliance Standards
The regulatory framework now encompasses multiple areas of pest control management. These regulations, encompassing various U.S. Federal guidelines like the Produce Safety Rule (21 CFR 112), Current Good Manufacturing Practice for Dietary Supplements (21 CFR 111), the Preventive Controls for both Human (21 CFR 117) and Animal (21 CFR 507) Foods, and the FDA Food Code, uniformly mandate the exclusion of pests from all food-related facilities. This includes fully and partially enclosed buildings and areas dedicated to manufacturing, processing, packing, and holding food products.
The frequency of monitoring for pests should be based on several factors, including: potential for pest activity, observations of pests, and environmental conditions. These include covering or repairing holes in your buildings, minimizing debris (that could be used for nesting) and food scraps, installing screens, and taking prompt action to eliminate them as they appear.
The Role of Professional Commercial Pest Control Services
Given the complexity of these evolving regulations, many food facilities are turning to professional pest control services to ensure compliance. Companies like ProControl Management Services, based in Port St. Lucie, Florida, understand the unique challenges facing food industry clients. With over 15 years of experience, they cater to various industries such as restaurants, hotels, healthcare, and retail, providing customized pest control solutions to ensure client satisfaction. With over 15 years of experience, they cater to various industries such as restaurants, hotels, healthcare, and retail, providing customized pest control solutions to ensure client satisfaction.
Professional Commercial Pest Control services bring expertise in regulatory compliance, advanced monitoring systems, and comprehensive documentation that meets FDA requirements. At ProControl Management Services we pride ourselves in providing fast, affordable and reliable pest control services. Since 2006 we have been providing Treasure Coast residents and local businesses with dependable pest control solutions.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
The stakes for non-compliance have never been higher. Should a pest issue—an infestation, or contamination, or adulteration of the food product—occur, FDA will harshly judge a facility that failed to identify or correct shortcomings (such as worn door sweeps). Significant pest contamination issues can lead to disruptions to production operations as well as have the potential to trigger costly recalls of product already in the marketplace.
Moving Forward: Preparing for Success
Food facilities should take the following actions now to ensure the success of their next FDA inspection and reduce the risk of government scrutiny: Facilities should ensure their pest control systems and processes conform to industry best practices. Facilities should ensure their pest control systems and processes conform to industry best practices.
The key to success lies in adopting a comprehensive, documented approach to pest management that goes beyond traditional methods. This includes regular risk assessments, proactive corrective actions, and maintaining detailed records that demonstrate ongoing compliance efforts.
As FDA regulations continue to evolve in 2024 and beyond, food facilities must adapt their pest control strategies to meet these higher standards. The investment in professional pest management services and comprehensive documentation systems isn’t just about avoiding citations—it’s about building a sustainable foundation for food safety that protects both consumers and business operations. By staying ahead of these regulatory changes, food facilities can ensure they’re not just compliant, but setting the standard for excellence in food safety management.