Mar 30, 2018CAWG secures winegrape exemption from Produce Safety Rule
The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) said it has secured an exemption for winegrapes from the Produce Safety Rule.
In a statement, CAWG said:
“Since the FDA first contemplated new food safety regulations for produce,
CAWG worked with the offices of Reps. David Valadao, R-Hanford, and Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel, to include legislative language in the most recently passed federal omnibus spending bill prohibiting FDA from using appropriated federal funds to regulate “…grape varietals that are grown, harvested and used solely for wine and further processing.”
CAWG will work with FDA and CDFA to identify methods for determining which grape varietals qualify for an exemption. The exemption will remain in effect through Sept. 30, 2018 and CAWG is working to continue the exemption through the remainder of the 2018 harvest and into subsequent years.