Compiled by a group of volunteers from members of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Food Safety Council, IFPA has published an industry guidance on preharvest agricultural water. The materials are intended to help stakeholders comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA’s) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR), Subpart E requirements for agricultural water.

While sections of the rule relating to preharvest agricultural water were under revision by FDA during the preparation of the guidance document, the resulting briefs and other communications rely on scientific evidence that are applicable to many different cropping systems, recognizing that the rule is relevant to any produce that is likely to be consumed raw, regardless of where or how it was grown.

The goal of the guidance is to address the most common points of confusion and to provide additional resources for the produce industry.

As a living document, additions and revisions be made continuously to improve upon the support materials offered in the guidance. Importantly, the final provisions within Subpart E of the PSR for pre-harvest agricultural water have not been finalized, so the document is subject to updates pending final regulation release.