Apr 25, 2016NPC, ag groups request meeting on FSMA
The National Potato Council (NPC) joined 21 agriculture and produce groups in a letter to FDA’s Deputy Commissioner Mike Taylor and his successor Stephen Ostroff to discuss “ramifications of the FSMA legislation that need attention.”
The signers recognized that the Sept. 19 compliance deadline for enforcement of the Preventive Controls Rule for specific “off-farm” facilities is rapidly approaching and requested near term relief for those facilities, NPC said. The Produce Marketing Assocation, United Fresh Produce Assocation and other state and national associations signed the letter.
“The categorization of similar facilities under different rules is a problem and that will likely require a legislative fix,” NPC said in a newsletter.
Another significant issue is the delay in FDA’s approval of the Produce Safety Alliance’s curriculum to train operations under the Produce Safety Rule and the Preventive Control Rule, NPC said.
“Due to the number of individuals who need to be trained, more time is needed once that curriculum is approved,” the newsletter read.
NPC and others requested a meeting to ensure continuity on these issues once Taylor departs FDA.
