The FDA has announced a new protocol for the development and registration of antimicrobial treatments for pre-harvest agricultural water, developed through a collaboration with the EPA.
Agricultural water can be a major conduit of pathogens that can contaminate produce. FDA recognizes that effective treatments could be a valuable tool in helping to prevent foodborne illness associated with the consumption of produce. Currently, there are no registered antimicrobial treatment products authorized to control microorganisms of public health significance for use on agricultural fields or for treatment of irrigation water systems or ponds.