Food safety in the United States is guided by a number of regulations, best-practice standards, and oversight agencies. Among the most influential resources in this landscape is the Food Code, a model set of science-based guidelines that shapes how restaurants, grocery stores, cafeterias, and food service institutions operate. Yet many people—students, food service managers, and even industry professionals—often wonder:

Which agency actually publishes the Food Code?

The answer is both simple and deeply interconnected with the structure of U.S. public health. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the primary agency responsible for publishing the Food Code, working collaboratively with other federal, state, and local partners.

This article explores the agency behind the Food Code, its history, how the Code is developed, how it is used, and why its publication matters for anyone working in food service or regulatory roles.

What Is the Food Code?

Before understanding who publishes the Food Code, it helps to understand what the document actually is.

The Food Code is a model regulation that provides science-based recommendations for food safety in retail and food service settings. It is not a federal law. Instead, it serves as guidance for:

• Restaurants
• Mobile food vendors
• Cafeterias
• Nursing home kitchens
• School food programs
• Delis and markets
• Institutional food preparation operations

The Food Code focuses on how food should be handled after it enters the retail or food-service environment. It is separate from regulations that govern farms or large industrial processors.

The Purpose of the Food Code

The Food Code aims to:

• Reduce the risk of foodborne illness
• Provide practical and enforceable standards
• Support consistency among local and state agencies
• Reflect the latest science on microbiology, temperature control, sanitation, and food handling
• Create uniformity across jurisdictions

Without the Food Code, each state or county could develop vastly different, and sometimes conflicting, food safety regulations.

Which Agency Publishes the Food Code?

The Publisher: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The Food Code is published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Although the FDA leads the publication effort, it works closely with other organizations to ensure the Code reflects current science and national food safety needs.

Why the FDA Publishes the Food Code

The FDA is charged with protecting public health by supervising:

• Food safety
• Pharmaceutical drugs
• Medical devices
• Cosmetics
• Tobacco products

Food safety is one of its core responsibilities, and ensuring safe food handling in retail environments falls directly within the agency’s mission.

The Food Code is one of the FDA’s major tools for supporting state and local authorities that inspect restaurants and food establishments.

Agencies and Organizations That Collaborate with the FDA

Though the FDA publishes the Code, the document is the product of a collaborative network of federal, state, and professional organizations.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC provides:

• Outbreak data
• Epidemiological studies
• Emerging pathogen research

Their findings help shape updates to the Food Code, especially regarding foodborne illness risk factors.

2. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The USDA regulates meat, poultry, and certain egg products. It offers expertise on:

• Cross-contamination
• Safe handling practices
• Retail-level risk factors affecting animal-based foods

3. Conference for Food Protection (CFP)

The CFP is one of the most influential partners in the Food Code process. It is a national organization consisting of:

• Regulators
• Scientists
• Educators
• Industry representatives

The CFP meets regularly to propose recommendations that directly influence future versions of the Food Code.

4. State, Local, and Tribal Health Authorities

Because these authorities are the ones enforcing food safety regulations, they provide critical feedback about:

• Practical enforceability
• Real-world challenges
• Emerging local issues
• Inspection findings

Their involvement helps ensure the Food Code functions effectively at ground level.

How Often Is the Food Code Published or Updated?

Historically, the Food Code was updated every four years. However, beginning in 2022, the FDA transitioned to an on-demand, continuous update model rather than a strict schedule.

Before the new model, previous release years included:

• 1993 (first edition)
• 1995
• 1997
• 1999
• 2001
• 2005
• 2009
• 2013
• 2017
• 2022

Under the new system, earlier release formats such as “supplements” are no longer needed. Updates can be issued whenever new science or regulatory needs emerge.

Why the FDA’s Role Matters

Understanding why the FDA is the publisher of the Food Code requires understanding how food safety works in the U.S.

1. The FDA Provides National Consistency

Every state has some form of food safety regulation, but without the Food Code as a national model, food safety could become inconsistent. The FDA’s leadership ensures:

• Uniform standards
• Predictable expectations for businesses
• Strong scientific backing
• Regulatory clarity

2. The FDA Bases the Code on Science

Unlike some regulatory standards that may rely on political or industry pressures, the Food Code is grounded in:

• Microbiology
• Chemistry
• Epidemiology
• Environmental health science

Foodborne pathogens evolve, sanitation technologies change, and new research emerges. The FDA incorporates this science into Food Code updates.

3. The FDA Coordinates Multi-Agency Expertise

Because the FDA works with the USDA, CDC, and CFP, the Food Code is uniquely comprehensive. It includes:

• Public health data
• Outbreak analysis
• Policy recommendations
• Industry best practices

This collaborative approach is why the Food Code is considered the gold standard for retail food regulation.

How the Food Code Is Developed and Reviewed

The publication process has several key steps.

1. Scientific Analysis

The FDA reviews the latest research involving:

• Pathogens
• Temperature controls
• Food handling behaviors
• Equipment sanitation
• Allergen management
• Employee health

2. Recommendations from the Conference for Food Protection

The CFP gathers input from educators, industry leaders, and regulators. They develop proposals that are forwarded to the FDA.

3. Drafting and Internal Review

The FDA drafts updates and conducts internal scientific and policy reviews.

4. Interagency Collaboration

Other federal partners review the draft to ensure national alignment.

5. Final Publication

Once finalized, the FDA publishes the Food Code on its website in PDF and web formats.

What the Food Code Covers

Understanding what the Code includes helps illustrate why the FDA is the appropriate publishing agency.

Key Areas of Coverage

1. Employee Health and Hygiene

• Symptoms requiring exclusion
• Handwashing rules
• Clean clothing and hair restraints

2. Time and Temperature Controls

• Cold-holding
• Hot-holding
• Cooking temperatures
• Cooling procedures

3. Cross-Contamination Prevention

• Storage hierarchy
• Equipment sanitation
• Preventing allergen contact

4. Food Source Requirements

• Approved suppliers
• Safe receiving practices

5. Cleaning and Sanitizing

• Chemical concentrations
• Washing procedures
• Equipment maintenance

6. Physical Facility Standards

• Plumbing
• Ventilation
• Waste management
• Handwashing sink requirements

7. Specialized Processes

• Sous vide
• Reduced-oxygen packaging
• Smoking or curing foods

The scientifically grounded nature of these topics makes the FDA’s publication role essential.

Do States Have to Follow the FDA Food Code?

While the FDA publishes the Food Code, it is not a federal requirement. States adopt the Food Code voluntarily.

Many states adopt the most recent version, while some adopt earlier versions or modify certain provisions.

Why Some States Use the Code Directly

The Food Code offers:

• Science-based best practices
• Clear regulatory language
• Support for inspector training

Why Some States Modify It

States may adjust the Code due to:

• Local food culture
• State-specific regulations
• Legislative structures

Regardless of adoption differences, the FDA remains the central publisher and scientific authority.

Why Food Service Workers Should Know Who Publishes the Code

Knowing that the FDA publishes the Food Code helps workers understand:

• Where the rules come from
• Why the rules matter
• How updates are made
• The science behind food safety requirements

Food safety protocols are not arbitrary. They are based on rigorous research and national public health priorities.

How Businesses Use the Food Code

Food establishments rely on the Food Code for:

• Staff training
• Policy creation
• SOP development
• Equipment purchases
• HACCP alignment
• Inspection preparation

Many training programs—including ServSafe® and state certification courses—align closely with Food Code standards, because the FDA’s guidelines shape national expectations.

The Future of the FDA Food Code

With the new continuous update system introduced in 2022, the Food Code is expected to evolve more dynamically than ever before.

Likely future developments include:

• Stronger emphasis on allergen safety
• Updated hand hygiene science
• More guidance for delivery and ghost kitchen models
• Modernization of temperature control standards
• Digital food safety monitoring

The FDA remains the key driver of these innovations.