OSHA Publishes Interim Final Rule for Food-Safety Whistleblower Complaints

OSHA has published an interim final rule establishing procedures and time frames for handling retaliation complaints under the Food Safety Modernization Act.

Signed into law in January 2011, the act provides employees who disclose information about a possible violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act with protection against retaliation from businesses engaged in the manufacture, processing, packing, transporting, distribution, reception, holding or importation of food.

This interim final rule establishes procedures, burdens of proof, remedies and statutes of limitations similar to other whistleblower-protection statutes that OSHA administers, according to the agency. OSHA published the rule in the Feb. 13 Federal Register.

Comments are due by April 14. Individuals can submit comments electronically at the Federal eRulemaking Portal, via mail or by fax.

OSHA enforces the whistleblower provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and 21 other statutes protecting employees who report violations of various safety, health, environmental and financial regulations.