On May 6, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published the final rule to amend the agricultural water provision of the produce safety regulation. This update replaces previous criteria and testing requirements with a new regulatory approach emphasizing systems-based assessments to target key contamination risks, including testing in specific circumstances. It mandates timely risk-based actions and introduces expedited mitigation for certain hazards. Importantly, these changes are designed to remain adaptable to future scientific advancements while ensuring practicality for farms of all sizes and types. Ultimately, the revisions aim to address microbial contamination routes effectively, thereby reducing preventable foodborne illnesses, which pose a significant public health concern.
Compliance Dates and Documentation Requirements
Western Growers developed a one-pager with compliance dates and documentation requirements for the Final Rule on Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water. You can download it here.
FDA Water Assessment Fact Sheet
Find a fact sheet created by the FDA summarizing the factors to evaluate for the agricultural water assessments, the assessment outcomes, corrective measures, mitigation measures and reassessment.
https://www.fda.gov/media/178221/download?attachment
FDA Factors to Consider As part of the Agricultural Water Assessment
The FDA posted a document that includes additional information and examples on factors to consider for the agricultural water assessment.
https://www.fda.gov/media/178227/download?attachment
Process Decision Tree for Agricultural Water Assessment and Risk-Based Outcomes
The FDA posted a decision tree to make decisions based on the findings from the inspection and ag water assessment.
https://www.fda.gov/media/178219/download?attachment
FDA Informative Webinars
The FDA will host an informative webinar on May 20, 2024, at 10-11 a.m. PDT, 1-2 p.m. EDT. The FDA is allowing registrants to submit questions about the rule during the registration process.
Register here.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]