FDA: Produce safety regulation

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HHS/FDA RIN: 0910-AG35 Publication ID: Fall 2009
Title: ¤Produce Safety Regulation
Abstract: The Food and Drug Administration is proposing to promulgate regulations setting enforceable standards for fresh produce safety at the farm and packing house. The purpose of the proposed rule is to reduce the risk of illness associated with contaminated fresh produce. The proposed rule will be based on prevention-oriented public health principles and incorporate what we have learned in the past decade since the agency issued general good agricultural practice guidelines entitled “Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables” (GAPs Guide). The proposed rule also will reflect comments received on the agency's 1998 update of its GAPs guide and its July 2009 draft commodity specific guidances for tomatoes, leafy greens, and melons. Although the proposed rule will be based on recommendations that are included in the GAPs guide, it does not make the entire guidance mandatory. FDA’s proposed rule would, however, set out clear standards for implementation of modern preventive controls. The proposed rule also would emphasize the importance of environmental assessments to identify hazards and possible pathways of contamination and provide examples of risk reduction practices
recognizing that operators must tailor their preventive controls to particular hazards and conditions affecting their operations. The requirements of the proposed rule would be scale appropriate and commensurate with the relative risks and complexity of individual operation. FDA intends to issue guidance after the proposed rule is finalized to assist industry in complying with the requirements of the new regulation. Agency: Department of Health and Human Services(HHS) Priority: Economically Significant RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage
Major: Yes Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: Not Yet Determined (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)
Legal Authority: 21 USC 342; 21 USC 371; 42 USC 264
Legal Deadline: None

Statement of Need: FDA has determined that enforceable standards (as opposed to voluntary recommendations) for the production and packing of fresh produce

are necessary to ensure best practices are commonly adopted.

Summary of the Legal Basis: FDA's legal basis derives in part from sections 402(a)(4) and 701(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) (21

U.S.C. 342(a)(4) and 371(a)). The agency has promulgated regulations that respond to a number of the provisions of the 1986 amendments. This final rule would

address additional provisions of these amendments.

Alternatives: An alternative to this rulemaking would be to update FDA’s 1998 GAPs Guide. However, even though the 1998 guidance has been well received and

widely adopted, outbreaks associated with fresh produce continue. Outbreak investigations also continue to observe conditions and practices that are not

consistent with the voluntary recommendations. FDA believes a regulation containing clear, enforceable standards would be more effective in ensuring best

practices are widely adopted.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: FDA estimates that the costs to more than 300,000 domestic and foreign producers and packers of fresh produce from the

proposal would include one-time costs (e.g., new tools and equipment) and recurring costs (e.g., monitoring, training, recordkeeping). FDA anticipates that

the benefits would be a reduction in foodborne illness and deaths associated with fresh produce. Monetized estimates of costs and benefits are not available

at this time.

Risks: This regulation would directly and materially advance the Federal Government's substantial interest in reducing the risks for illness and death

associated with foodborne infections resulting from the consumption of contaminated fresh produce. Less restrictive and less comprehensive approaches have

not been effective in reducing the problems addressed by this regulation. FDA anticipates that the regulation would lead to a significant decrease in

foodborne illness associated with fresh produce in the U.S.
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM 10/00/2010
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Government Levels Affected: None
Small Entities Affected: Businesses Federalism: Undetermined
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes
International Impacts: This regulatory action will be likely to have international trade and investment effects, or otherwise be of international interest.
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes
Agency Contact:
Samir Assar
Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Food Safety, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway,
College Park, MD 20740
Phone:301 436-1636
Email: samir.assar@fda.hhs.gov