FDA Public Meetings on Produce Safety Rule Guidance

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will hold four one-day public meetings to discuss the recently published draft guidance created to help farmers meet the requirements of the Produce Safety Rule.

The draft guidance, entitled “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption: Draft Guidance for Industry,” is a compliance and implementation guide that gives information and examples to demonstrate how farmers can meet the rule’s requirements. 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 meetings will be held in different regions of the country to provide information and facilitate comment so 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 The information presented will focus on the various chapters of the draft guidance: general provisions; personnel qualifications and training; health and hygiene; biological soil amendments of animal origin; domesticated and wild animals;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 can register online to attend the meetings. For questions about registering for the meetings or to register by phone, contact Melissa Schroeder at 240-393-4496 or EventSupport@Sidemgroup.com.

For general questions about the meeting or to request special accommodations due to a disability, contact Juanita Yates at 240-402-1731 or Juanita.Yates@fda.hhs.gov. For more information, see the Federal Register Notice announcing the meetings and the Meeting Page.

Meeting Dates and Locations

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

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

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

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

Register for the Fourth Meeting in Atlanta, GA