GAO evaluates FDA on Produce Safety Rule communications
The rule includes many provisions that have raised many technical and business questions.
FSMA’s Produce Safety Rule for large companies became effective on Jan. 26, 2017 and, for small and very small companies, becomes effective on Jan. 26, 2018 and Jan. 26, 2019, respectively. However, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, there are still many unanswered questions processors face when looking at the FSMA rule entitled, Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption.
While the rule establishes enforceable national standards for the on-farm growing, harvesting and holding of domestic and imported produce, it also includes many other provisions that have raised many technical and business questions. These provisions include standards related to agricultural water quality; the use of soil amendments such as raw manure; the presence of domesticated and wild animals; worker training, health and hygiene; and sanitation of equipment, tools and buildings.