Please encourage produce farmers at your market to check the Exemption Flow Chart at www.VAProduceSafety.com to see if they are covered by the new Produce Safety Rule.
The rule establishes science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fresh fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. It is part of the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). FSMA is the most sweeping reform of our food safety laws in more than 70 years and was signed into law on January 4, 2011. It aims to ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it from happening.
Resources:
Virginia Produce Safety (VDACS)
Presentation: Implementation of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule in VA
Virginia Fresh Produce Food Safety (VA Tech)
Contact:
Erik Bungo
Program Supervisor, Produce Safety Program
VDACS – Office of Dairy & Food
804-786-1006 (office)