Shipper Guides
FSMA Sanitary Transportation Compliance for Shippers
June 9, 2026 · 9 min read
The Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food rule made cold-chain responsibility explicit and shared. If you ship food, the rule expects you to specify requirements in writing — not to assume the carrier knows.
Under the FSMA sanitary transportation rule, shippers must specify temperature and sanitary requirements to the carrier in writing.
Who is responsible for what
The rule distributes duties across shippers, loaders, carriers and receivers. Shippers specify requirements including operating temperature and any prior-cargo restrictions. Carriers must meet those specifications, ensure equipment is suitable, train personnel and maintain records. Receivers verify on arrival.
What to put in your written specification
A one-page instruction attached to the bill of lading eliminates most cold-chain disputes before they start.
- Required set point and acceptable range
- Run mode: continuous or cycle sentry
- Pre-cool requirement and target trailer temperature before loading
- Prior-cargo restrictions and washout requirements
- Temperature recording interval and how records are returned
- Who to call, at what threshold, if temperature drifts in transit
What records to demand back
Ask for downloadable temperature data covering the full transit, not a single reading at delivery. Ask how long the carrier retains records — you may need them well after delivery for a receiver dispute or a traceability inquiry.