These revised requirements reflect recent science, findings from investigations of several produce-related outbreaks, and feedback from a variety of stakeholders on the agricultural water requirements in the Produce Safety Rule, which were previously published in 2015. These revisions will more comprehensively address a known route of microbial contamination that can lead to preventable foodborne illness.
The rule also finalizes the dates for compliance with the pre-harvest agricultural water requirements for non-sprout covered produce as follows:
- For very small farms: 2 years, 9 months after the effective date of the final rule
- For small farms: 1 year, 9 months after the effective date of the final rule
- For all other farms: 9 months after the effective date of the final rule
The rule does not alter existing requirements for agricultural water for sprouts, for which compliance dates have passed. It also does not alter existing requirements for harvest and post-harvest agricultural water activities. Additional information about compliance dates can be found on the FDA Proposes Compliance Date Extension for Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water Requirements webpage.
The agency is committed to taking an “educate before and while we regulate” approach to supporting compliance. Along with the rule, the FDA also released a number of fact sheets, including one that provides an overview of agriculture water assessments and mitigation measures, and another that offers more details on factors for conducting these assessments. These resources are available in Spanish. The FDA has also updated the Agriculture Water Assessment Builder. Additionally, the Agency is planning a webinar for all interested stakeholders. Registration information will be provided in a forthcoming announcement.
Importantly, the FDA will work closely with our state partners to implement these changes. The agency plans to work closely with state regulators, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), educators, and others, including the Produce Safety Alliance, to provide the necessary training to implement these changes to the agricultural water requirements.
Source : fda.gov