US Food and Drug Administration Recognizes Alignment of GLOBALG.A.P. Standard with the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule

The GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard version 5.4-1-GFS for fruit and vegetables, plus the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) add-on version 1.3, is now officially recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be in alignment with the PSR.

FDA to Hold Public Meetings to Discuss Proposed Changes to Agricultural Water Requirements in the Produce Safety Rule

January 7, 2022 FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be holding two virtual public meetings on the recently released proposed rule “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption Relating to Agricultural Water.” The purpose of the public meetings is to discuss the proposed rule, which was issued under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. These public meetings are intended to facilitate and support the public’s evaluation and commenting process on the proposed rule.

Arizona and California LGMA Programs Meet and Exceed FDA’s Proposed Water Rule

December 8, 2021 LGMA

On December 2, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the release of a proposed revision to Subpart E (Agricultural Water) of the Produce Safety Rule (PSR).   The LGMA Food Safety Programs in Arizona and California have conducted an initial review of FDA’s proposal and have determined that the LGMA requirements appear to meet and exceed what is in the proposed new rule.

FDA Provides Flexibility to Farms Regarding Eligibility for the Qualified Exemption Under the Produce Safety Rule

May 26, 2020 FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it will provide flexibility regarding eligibility criteria for the qualified exemption under the Produce Safety Rule during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

NASDA and FDA Debut New Inspections for Produce Safety, States to Play Key Role in Implementation

NASDA and FDA have collaborated to develop steps for Produce Safety Rule inspections as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act’s implementation. The new inspection process is designed to provide nationwide consistency and constructive feedback to farmers about exactly what is examined and how inspections relate to regulation.