The US Food and Drug Administration plans to hold four one-day public meetings to discuss the recently published draft guidance created to help farmers meet requirements of the Produce Safety Rule.
Entitled “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption: Draft Guidance for Industry,” the draft guidance gives information and examples to demonstrate how farmers can meet the rule’s requirements in various ways. Established by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the rule requires that domestic and foreign farms use science and risk-based preventive measures to protect fruits and vegetables from contamination.
The information presented will focus on the various chapters of the draft guidance: general provisions; personnel qualifications and training; health and hygiene; biological soil amendments of animal origin; domesticated and wild animals; growing, harvesting, packing and holding activities on a farm; equipment, tools, buildings, and sanitation; records; and variances. Stakeholder panels will discuss various issues. There will be opportunities for questions and open public comment.
•First Public Meeting—November 27, 2018, 8:30 am to 5 pm, The Hilton Portland Downtown, 921 SW Sixth Ave, Portland OR 97204
•Second Public Meeting—November 29, 2018, 8:30 am to 5 pm, Doubletree Suites by Hilton/Anaheim Resort Convention Center, 2085 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim CA 92802
•Third Public Meeting—December 11, 2018, 8:30 am to 5 pm, Hilton Albany, 40 Lodge St, Albany NY 12207
•Fourth Public Meeting—December 13, 2018, 8:30 am to 5 pm, Embassy Suites Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park, 267 Marietta St, Atlanta GA 30313
Attendees are encouraged to register online to attend the meeting in person. For questions about registering or to register by phone, contact Melissa Schroeder, SIDEM, 1775 Eye Street, NW, Suite 1150, Washington DC 20006, 240-393-4496, email: [email protected].
For general questions or to request special accommodations due to a disability, contact Juanita Yates, FDA, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 240-402-1731, e-mail: [email protected].
