FDA offers funds to implement new produce safety rule | Courtesy of Shutterstock
+ Regulatory
Amanda Rupp | Sep 14, 2016

FDA offers funds to implement new produce safety rule

Leaders with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted $21.8 million to help a total of 42 states implement the new produce safety rule in the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

The FDA finalized the rule last November. It creates new minimum standards -- based on science -- to safely harvest, grow, hold and pack fruits as well as vegetables meant for human consumption.

“As efforts for a nationally integrated food safety system advance, this funding will play a vital role in establishing programs at the state level to educate growers and provide technical assistance to ensure high rates of compliance with the produce safety rule,” Melinda Plaisier, associate commissioner for regulatory affairs at the FDA, said.

This past March, the FDA stated that it would provide finances to implement the new act. Now, these finances are available to all U.S. territories and states. The money will be used to plan and create a new state produce safety program.

“The states were key partners to the FDA as FSMA’s produce safety provisions were being developed,” Dr. Stephen Ostroff, FDA's deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine, said. “Today’s funding announcement demonstrates the FDA’s commitment to keep working closely with the states as we begin to implement the provisions. A robust federal-state partnership in produce safety will help protect American consumers from foodborne illness and benefit public health.”

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