This page does NOT include information on the final Produce Rule. For information on the final rules visit NSAC’s Understanding FDA’s FSMA Rule for Produce Farms. FDA released re-proposed sections of this rule on September 19, 2014. This text has been updated to reflect changes in the new version of the proposed rules, which are open for comment until December 15, 2014.
The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) required the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to write new regulations that establish standards for produce safety (Produce Rule). In its proposed Produce Rule, FDA detailed new standards for the growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of produce for human consumption. During the second comment period, FDA re-proposed certain sections of the Produce Rule and is requesting additional public comment. Before finalizing the produce standards, FDA was required to consider all of the public comments received on both the proposed Produce Rule and the re-proposed sections.
The proposed Produce Rule sets forth new standards for growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of produce. The standards apply to fruits and vegetables normally consumed raw, such as apples, carrots, lettuce, onions, and tomatoes. The proposed Produce Rule does not apply to produce rarely consumed raw (such as winter squash) or produce grown for personal consumption.
The proposed Produce Rule establishes standards for:
Accompanying these standards are certain recordkeeping requirements that document adherence to the standards, including for training, agricultural water, biological soil amendments of animal origin, and sprouts.
FDA has revised, or “re-proposed,” certain sections of the Produce Rule related to:
Check out our Who Is Affected? guidance to help you determine if you may be affected by these proposed rules.
Other issues with the proposed rule that the re-proposed sections do not address center around:
Get more information on these issues and how they might impact farmers on the Learn About the Issues page. Further guidance that goes into greater detail on all of these issues will be available soon.
They aren’t exactly beach vacation reading, but if you think you may be affected it is in your best interest to read and analyze them yourself! Farmers and processors who have a direct stake in these rules need to read them and start asking questions about what they might mean for their businesses.
At this time, there are no open related rules for public comment.