New Rules Announced for the Produce Industry
March 2007
As reports of sickness rise, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
introduced new regulations to prevent food poisoning. The food safety
plans are voluntary, asking fruit and vegetable processors to adopt
rules like those used by the meat industry.
The new guidelines focus on employee health, training, facilities, sanitation, and fresh-cut produce. The rules ask processors to establish policies where employees report illness and supervisors are trained in recognizing and preventing infectious disease.
The rules for produce processing are a first for the FDA, but food safety groups are disappointed that they cannot be enforced. Some have called the new rules redundant, only telling growers, packers, and distributors what they already know about food safety.
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Sources:
"Voluntary rules ask growers to combat food poisoning." The Associated Press. March 12, 2007.
"FDA Issues Final Guidance for Safe Production of Fresh-Cut Fruits and Vegetables." FDA Press Release. March 12, 2007.
