US (FL): Growers prioritize food safety

 UF/IFAS hosted a public meeting to help Florida’s specialty crop industry understand what’s ahead a…

 UF/IFAS hosted a public meeting to help Florida’s specialty crop industry understand what’s ahead as FDA begins implementing new food safety rules set out under the 2010 Food Safety Modernization Act. A group of around 150 produce growers, handlers, and other industry allies met in Belle Glade recently to hear FDA representatives discuss the new food safety rules and to get answers to questions on compliance.

A team from FDA, including Michael Taylor, Deputy Commissioner for Foods, gave an overview of the new rules.

Questions from the crowd focused on rules for water testing. The Produce Safety Rule lays out a “tiered approach” to water sampling and specific numeric criteria for water use, said Dr. Karen Killinger, FDA. Many questions remain about how the rules apply to Florida’s unique farming environment.

In addition to the Produce Safety Rule, FDA officials gave overviews on the Preventive Controls for Human Foods, Preventive Controls for Animal Food, and the Foreign Supplier Verification Program.

Important Paperwork
FDA plans to develop a set of guidance documents to help producers and handlers better understand how to comply with the rules. Killinger and the other FDA representatives urged attendees to submit specific questions and scenarios from their operations to the Technical Assistance Network. The information gathered there will be used to develop the guidance, she said.

During the question-and-answer session, issues surfaced for which there were no clear answers — the practice of pin-hooking, for example. In those instances, Killinger suggested growers submit details to the Technical Assistance Network.

One participant asked whether Florida’s existing nutrient criteria for water quality would supersede FDA’s criteria. “The whole rulemaking has been about setting a standard where none has existed before. There’s no mistaking the fact there’s now a water quality standard geared to the presence of generic E. coli where none has existed before,” said Taylor. “Yes, for the first time, we have a national standard. Production in Florida has to meet that new standard; Florida can’t override it.”

Before and after the informational meeting, several FDA members toured South Florida citrus and vegetable operations to see firsthand the unique aspects and challenges related to production and irrigation practices. The tours were arranged by FFVA’s Mike Aerts and Dr. Martha Roberts of UF/IFAS.