The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published an updated compliance guide for small food entities regarding the preharvest agricultural water requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule: “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption: What You Need to Know About the FDA Regulation: Small Entity Compliance Guide” (SECG).

This update is designed to help small entities comply with the revised pre-harvest agricultural water requirements for covered produce (excluding sprouts) under the Produce Safety Rule.

Updates made to the guidance reflect changes made to the Produce Safety Rule in the May 2024 final rule, “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption Relating to Agricultural Water.”

Compliance dates for the pre-harvest agricultural water requirements for covered produce (excluding sprouts) start April 7, 2025, with staggered deadlines based on farm size.

Western Growers has put together a list of additional resources pertaining to the FSMA Final Rule of Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water. Click here.