Nov 13, 2015USApple to review new produce safety rule
FDA has just posted a pre-publication version of the 801-page final produce food safety rule that will apply to growers: “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption.”
The rule will be published on Nov. 27, and become effective 60 days later. Compliance to the rule is staggered over several years, depending upon the specific provision and size of the operation.
According to the U.S. Apple Association, the rules are the most significant changes to produce safety regulation in 70 years, and have the potential to significantly affect tree fruit production practices. USApple has been actively advocating on behalf of the apple industry since FDA began developing the Food Safety Modernization Act rule. In particular, it focused on the agricultural water provisions in the second round of comments to FDA. As a result, the agency added additional flexibility to the agricultural water provision in the final rule.
“Our Technical Food Safety Task Force and director of regulatory affairs will review the rule and determine how it specifically affects our growers and packers,” said Jim Bair, USApple’s president and CEO. “We are thankful that apples enjoy the reputation of being healthy and wholesome, and we are working hard to make sure they continue to deserve that reputation and remain a key contributor to nutritious diets.”