The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will hold four one-day public meetings to discuss the recently published draft guidance created to help farmers meet the requirements of the Produce Safety Rule.

The draft guidance, “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption: Draft Guidance for Industry,” is a compliance and implementation guide that gives information and examples to demonstrate how farmers can meet the rule’s requirements in various ways. Established by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the rule requires that domestic and foreign farms use science and risk-based preventive measures to protect their fruits and vegetables from contamination.

The four meetings will be held in Portland, OR, Anaheim, CA, Albany, NY, and Atlanta, GA.

Information presented at each meeting will focus on: general provisions; personnel qualifications and training; health and hygiene; biological soil amendments of animal origin; domesticated and wild animals; growing, harvesting, packing and holding activities on a farm; equipment, tools, buildings, and sanitation; records; and variances. Stakeholder panels will discuss various issues. There will be opportunities for questions and open public comment.

Those interested in attending any of the four in-person meetings can register online. Questions should be directed to:

Melissa Schroeder
SIDEM
1775 Eye Street, NW, Suite 1150
Washington, DC 20006
240-393-4496
Fax: 202-495-2901
EventSupport@Sidemgroup.com

Attendees are encouraged to register online to attend any of the meetings in person. 

For questions about registering for the meetings or to register by phone, contact For general questions about the meeting, or to request special accommodations due to a disability, contact:

Juanita Yates
FDA, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
240-402-1731
Juanita.Yates@fda.hhs.gov

PORTLAND, OR MEETING
November 27, 2018, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
The Hilton Portland Downtown
921 SW Sixth Ave.
Portland, OR 97204

ANAHEIM, CA MEETING
November 29, 2018, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Doubletree Suites by Hilton/Anaheim Resort Convention Center
2085 S. Harbor Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92802

ALBANY, NY MEETING
December 11, 2018, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Hilton Albany
40 Lodge St.
Albany, NY 12207

ATLANTA, GA MEETING
December 13, 2018, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Embassy Suites Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park
267 Marietta St.
Atlanta, GA 30313

Be sure to visit the official meeting page for details on registration deadlines and requests to make comments at the meetings.

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