The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released its final rule on Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding Produce for Human Consumption under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Although the Produce Safety rule is primarily relevant to farms and other operations that grow, harvest, pack and hold produce, it is also relevant to food processors. An understanding of the scope and basic requirements of this rule is important for food companies conducting supplier verification activities under the Preventive Controls rules or under the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP).  In addition, food companies that commercially process produce are subject to additional requirements under the Produce Safety rule, even if exempt from other FSMA requirements.

We summarize the key components of the Produce Safety Rule of most interest to food manufacturers. Click here to read more.