Another produce code

Luis of the Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group provides this story from the Nov. 16 edition of www.InsideHealthPolicy.com.From the story cited by Luis:

The organization representing state food and drug regulators is working with the food industry and a consumer group to draft by early next year a model produce code that state and local regulators could adopt. The Association of Food and Drug Officials and the food industry have not yet endorsed mandatory, federal good agricultural practices but concede they will likely be the next step. "There would be value in some mandatory programs," says Craig Henry, chief operating officer and senior vice-president for scientific and regulatory affairs at the Grocery Manufacturers Association. "Whether it is part of the federal food code remains to be seen." The model code will set out basic good agricultural practices. The agricultural standards will likely address worker hygiene, field equipment, fertilizers, land use, water testing, pest control programs, and produce tracking. The groups are building on the 1998 FDA guidance on preventing microbial hazards in fresh fruits and vegetables, another industry source says. After the draft code is released, commodity-specific standards will likely be issued, says David Gombas, senior vice president for food safety and technology at the United Fresh Produce Association. He says there are already GAPs being developed for melons, leafy greens and tomatoes by different states and commodity groups the produce code will draw upon. The Center for Science in the Public Interest, while working on the produce code, is also drawing up a separate petition to FDA, with some industry groups, that asks FDA to regulate farms.