On February 12, 2014, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an interim final rule that addresses procedures for retaliation complaints under the whistleblower provisions of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The whistleblower provisions of the FSMA protect workers who report concerns related to food safety. OSHA’s interim rule explains how the federal agency will deal with complaints brought under Section 402 of the FSMA. Section 402 provides protection against retaliation to employees who raise food safety concerns to the government or their employer. Section 402 applies to manufacturers, processors, packers, transporters, and distributors of food products as well as those who hold or import food.
