The Food and Drug Administration published a proposal Dec. 6, 2021, to amend the agricultural water requirements of the Produce Safety Rule.

In response, the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension will host two virtual outreach sessions for farmers and other stakeholders Jan. 21.

The Produce Safety Rule was signed into law in 2011, as part of FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act.

FDA’s recent proposal amends the preharvest agricultural water requirements for covered produce, other than sprouts, previously established in Subpart E of the Produce Safety Rule. Previous preharvest water microbial quality criteria and testing requirements are proposed to be replaced with more flexible requirements.

The two sessions scheduled for Jan. 21 will detail the proposed changes. Producers and stakeholders will learn how to submit questions and comments to FDA and participate in discussions. Anyone interested must register here.

FDA is hosting two virtual public meetings to discuss the proposed changes, Feb. 14 and 25. Farmers and industry representatives are encouraged to attend. Registration is required here.

FDA’s public comment period on the proposed rule will close April 5. For comments to be officially considered, they must be spoken at one of the FDA’s meetings or submitted in writing to Docket No. FDA-2021-N-0471 here.

For more information, email agwater@fda.hhs.gov.