Produce safety standards underway

The Produce Safety Project, an initiative of the Pew Charitable Trusts at Georgetown University, recently received assurances from Dr. Margaret Hamburg, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, that the agency has begun work on regulation to establish enforceable standards for produce safety.

The letter, dated September 16, cites three draft guidances (or commodity specific guidelines) published in July 2009 that identify and minimize risk of microbial contamination of three commodities: tomatoes, leafy greens and melons.

Jim O’Hara, director of the Produce Safety Project, is encouraged by FDA’s progress and commitment to enforceable standards for produce safety.

For more information, visit The Produce Safety Project.