FDA picks California and Maryland for produce safety meetings
FDA picks California and Maryland for produce safety meetings
WASHINGTON -- The produce industry will have two opportunities starting in about two weeks to share real-world experiences in food safety and explore options that the federal government is considering in revamping handling rules throughout the produce supply chain.
FDA has announced two public hearings on produce safety: the first will take place March 20 in Oakland, CA, and the second April 13 at FDA's headquarters in College Park, MD.
The meetings are likely to help shape FDA's next steps in reducing the number of outbreaks that have been dogging the fresh produce industry in recent months.
In the Feb. 23 announcement, FDA said that it plans to share information on recent outbreaks and solicit comment on possible ways to reduce contamination from harvesting to packing, cooling, processing and transporting fresh produce.
The agency is asking the public to respond to 10 questions that signal FDA's priorities in trying to reduce the risk of microbial contamination at every stage of the supply chain.
For example, the agency is interested in whether agricultural water and other "inputs" are sampled and tested for pathogens or indicator organisms at any stage of the supply chain.
FDA also is eying ways to improve fresh produce traceback techniques. Tracing unpackaged fresh produce back to the farm has been problematic, said FDA, especially when the products undergo several packing and repacking steps with multiple opportunities for commingling.
Even with packaged products, traceback is difficult if the records are not specific enough about the handling journey of produce. FDA is asking which types of records and from which facilities would be the most useful in tracking fresh products.
The agency is seeking information on the value of written food-safety plans, sanitation standard operating procedures and other records in mitigating food-safety risks. Buyers require third-party audits to check to see whether companies adhere to good agricultural and good manufacturing practices. FDA is asking the best way to make sure companies do follow these guidelines in the event a federal safety regulatory program is put in place.
Another question is whether changes to federal food safety policy should take into account the wide variation within the industry, such as the commodity, type of establishments and different production practices.
Finally, FDA is asking participants to describe how new federal measures might affect small businesses, such as roadside stands, farm gate operations or farmers' markets.
FDA officials and invited speakers will discuss the issues at the meetings; then members of the public will have an opportunity to present their views. Participants should register by March 12 for the Oakland, CA, meeting, and by April 6 for the FDA headquarters meeting.
FDA has announced two public hearings on produce safety: the first will take place March 20 in Oakland, CA, and the second April 13 at FDA's headquarters in College Park, MD.
The meetings are likely to help shape FDA's next steps in reducing the number of outbreaks that have been dogging the fresh produce industry in recent months.
In the Feb. 23 announcement, FDA said that it plans to share information on recent outbreaks and solicit comment on possible ways to reduce contamination from harvesting to packing, cooling, processing and transporting fresh produce.
The agency is asking the public to respond to 10 questions that signal FDA's priorities in trying to reduce the risk of microbial contamination at every stage of the supply chain.
For example, the agency is interested in whether agricultural water and other "inputs" are sampled and tested for pathogens or indicator organisms at any stage of the supply chain.
FDA also is eying ways to improve fresh produce traceback techniques. Tracing unpackaged fresh produce back to the farm has been problematic, said FDA, especially when the products undergo several packing and repacking steps with multiple opportunities for commingling.
Even with packaged products, traceback is difficult if the records are not specific enough about the handling journey of produce. FDA is asking which types of records and from which facilities would be the most useful in tracking fresh products.
The agency is seeking information on the value of written food-safety plans, sanitation standard operating procedures and other records in mitigating food-safety risks. Buyers require third-party audits to check to see whether companies adhere to good agricultural and good manufacturing practices. FDA is asking the best way to make sure companies do follow these guidelines in the event a federal safety regulatory program is put in place.
Another question is whether changes to federal food safety policy should take into account the wide variation within the industry, such as the commodity, type of establishments and different production practices.
Finally, FDA is asking participants to describe how new federal measures might affect small businesses, such as roadside stands, farm gate operations or farmers' markets.
FDA officials and invited speakers will discuss the issues at the meetings; then members of the public will have an opportunity to present their views. Participants should register by March 12 for the Oakland, CA, meeting, and by April 6 for the FDA headquarters meeting.
