The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that it will hold four one-day public meetings to discuss the recently published draft guidance created to help farmers meet the requirements of the Produce Safety Rule.
The draft guidance, entitled “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption: Draft Guidance for Industry,” is a compliance and implementation guide that gives information and examples to demonstrate how farmers can meet the rule’s requirements in various ways. Established by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the rule requires that domestic and foreign farms use science and risk-based preventive measures to protect their fruits and vegetables from contamination.
The public meetings will be held in different regions of the country to provide information and facilitate comment so that stakeholders can better evaluate and provide input on the draft Produce Safety Rule guidance. The information presented will focus on the various chapters of the draft guidance: general provisions; personnel qualifications and training; health and hygiene; biological soil amendments of animal origin; domesticated and wild animals; growing, harvesting, packing and holding activities on a farm; equipment, tools, buildings, and sanitation; records; and variances. Stakeholder panels will discuss various issues. There will be opportunities for questions and open public comment.
Attendees are encouraged to register online to attend the meeting in person. For questions about registering for the meetings or to register by phone, contact Melissa Schroeder, SIDEM, 1775 Eye Street, NW, Suite 1150, Washington, DC 20006, 240-393-4496, Fax: 202-495-2901, email: [email protected].
For general questions about the meeting, or to request special accommodations due to a disability, contact Juanita Yates, FDA, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 240-402-1731, e-mail: [email protected].
For additional information, see the Federal Register Notice announcing the meetings and the Meeting Page.
First Public Meeting – Portland, OR
November 27, 2018, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
The Hilton Portland Downtown
921 SW Sixth Ave.
Portland, OR 97204
Please note the following important dates:
- November 9, 2018: Closing date to request special accommodations due to a disability
- November 9, 2018: Closing date to request to make public comments at the meeting
- November 16, 2018: Closing date for registration
Register for the First Meeting in Portland, OR
Second Public Meeting – Anaheim, CA
November 29, 2018, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Doubletree Suites by Hilton/Anaheim Resort Convention Center
2085 S. Harbor Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92802
Please note the following important dates:
- November 9, 2018: Closing date to request special accommodations due to a disability
- November 9, 2018: Closing date to request to make public comments at the meeting
- November 16, 2018: Closing date for registration
Register for the Second Meeting in Anaheim, CA
Third Public Meeting – Albany, NY
December 11, 2018, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Hilton Albany
40 Lodge St.
Albany, NY 12207
Please note the following important dates:
- November 16, 2018: Closing date to request special accommodations due to a disability
- November 16, 2018: Closing date to request to make public comments at the meeting
- November 23, 2018: Closing date for registration
Register for the Third Meeting in Albany, NY
Fourth Public Meeting – Atlanta, GA
December 13, 2018, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Embassy Suites Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park
267 Marietta St.
Atlanta, GA 30313
Please note the following important dates:
- November 16, 2018: Closing date to request special accommodations due to a disability
- November 16, 2018: Closing date to request to make public comments at the meeting
- November 23, 2018: Closing date for registration
