Guidance Document for Direct-to-Consumer and Third-Party Delivery Service Food Delivery

This guidance document provides food safety best practices for managing or performing Direct to Consumer (DTC) or third-party delivery (TPD) services. This document includes parameters critical to preventive controls, mechanisms to assess risk, validation and verification practices, recommendations for proper packaging, temperature control, receiving and storage, physical and chemical contamination control, allergen control, general food safety information, and suggestion for return of compromised and abused products. The intent of the guide is primarily to provide best practices for preventing biological, physical and chemical contamination as well as the growth of harmful bacteria and/or the formation of toxins within the food being transported.

This document is an update to "Guidance for Mail Order Food Companies" available here: http://www.foodprotect.org/guides-documents/guidance-for-mail-order-food-establishments/

The methods by which foods reach the final consumer can vary significantly, and this guidance is not intended to provide a "one-size-fits-all" approach. This guidance aims to review some of the essential parameters that any company should consider in providing safe foods to the consumer. Companies should research, understand, and test the methods best suited to their specific operation.

This guidance recommends best practices and provides references that may help in this process. The use of this guidance is voluntary. It is not a regulatory document. Food companies, including food manufacturers and food establishments where food is held or prepared for DTC or TPD are subject to applicable federal, state and local food safety statutes and regulations. It is important that DTC and TDP companies understand all legal and regulatory requirements, as well as industry guidelines, governing the safety of food throughout production and distribution.

This guide does not specifically address (a) the delivery of foods intended for immediate consumption from food establishments where the delivery is under the control of the food establishment who prepared and delivered the food by the food establishment's employee, since these companies are already regulated by state and local codes or (b) export requirements, tariffs or customs aspects of international deliveries. Although not covered by this document, the information provided here may contain useful advice for delivery of foods intended for immediate consumption from restaurants where the delivery is under the control of the restaurant who prepared the food and delivered by a restaurant employee.