FDA Releases Draft Guidance Document for the Produce Safety Rule

The FDA has released draft guidance for farms which must comply with the Produce Safety Rule (Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption; 21 CFR Part 117).  You can access the draft guidance at https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/ucm606284.htm.  Additionally, the FDA has created at-a-glance overviews which covers highlights for each of the nine chapters in the draft guidance document.

A farmer holding a paper and pen

Guidance documents serve as a mechanism for the FDA to provide a broad range of recommendations on how to meet the requirements for most subparts of the rule. It also outlines how to determine whether produce or farms may be eligible for exemptions from certain requirements, or from the rule in its entirety.

You are encouraged to review and provide feedback to the FDA by April 22, 2019.  Comments may be provided electronically or through written submissions.  More instructions on mechanisms to provide comments on the draft guidance can be found in the federal register notification.