FDA expands its support for states to advance implementation of produce safety activities

FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. said “Preventing contamination of produce consumed by Americans every day is a key part of the FDA’s mission to protect and promote the public health. To support our partners in this important work, the FDA is providing the funding to help states implement produce safety standards in their farming communities.” FDA had renewed its cooperation with 43 states and added Hawaii, Kentucky and Mississippi to the agreement. FSMA Produce Safety Rule compliance date for large farms was in January 2018, except for the agricultural water requirements that are being re-examined. In the future, states will use much of the cooperative agreement funding to conduct produce inspections. Under the cooperative agreements’ inspection component, the FDA anticipates that most inspections will be conducted by state partners. Today, the FDA is announcing $32.5 million in funding for the 46 states participating in the cooperative agreements. @ https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm613302.htm?utm_campaign=07122018_PR_FDA%20expands%20support%20for%20states%20to%20implement%20produce%20safety%20rule&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua