While time is running out for small farms to comply with the FSMA Produce Rule (Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption), the FDA released a 172-page draft guidance for the Produce Safety Rule at the end of October, with a six month comment period. For a complete listing of FSMA final rules and compliance dates, see the FSMA key dates calendar.
The draft guidance provides a broad range of recommendations on how to meet the requirements for most subparts of the rule. It also outlines how to determine whether produce or farms may be eligible for exemptions from certain requirements, or from the rule in its entirety. More information can be found on FDA’s draft guidance for industry webpage.