Ohio Agribusiness Association : FDA Launches New FSMA, Produce Safety Rule Webpages to Provide Information on the Food Safety Modernization Act

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a new FSMA landing page on FDA.gov to help stakeholders more easily access information and resources about the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act to help them comply the rules.

In addition, FDA has also updated the Produce Safety Rule page with the most current information on the rule's requirements, compliance dates, training, technical assistance, and other resources. Today marks the first major compliance date for large farms (other than sprout growers) under the Produce Safety Rule. However, in September 2017, FDA announced that routine inspections under the rule would be postponed until Spring 2019 to allow time during this upcoming year for additional education, outreach, and training.

The Produce Safety Rule mandated by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) establishes, for the first time, science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of produce grown for human consumption; marking a fundamental shift from reacting to food safety problems to preventing them before they occur.

These updates are part of FDA's commitment to ensuring that farmers, and other food producers, have the information and resources they need to comply with the new FSMA standards. FDA will continue to make information available to help stakeholders comply with the various FSMA requirements. Those interested should subscribe to the CFSAN Constituent Update and Food Safety Modernization Act email lists for the most up-to-date information.