The Food and Drug Administration published a rule replacing the pre-harvest water quality criteria and testing requirements set in 2015. The new rule adopts a systems-based approach to identify and mitigate potential contamination risks.
On May 20 from 1-2 P.M. (ET), the FDA will hold an information webinar about the recently published Agricultural Water Final Rule. The webinar will last an hour, and FDA will provide an overview of the final rule and answer pre-submitted questions and live Q and A.
Under the new rule, produce farmers must conduct annual agricultural water assessments, considering factors like water system, water use practices, crop characteristics, environmental conditions, and potential impacts from nearby land. Based on the assessments, farmers must then implement mitigation steps if contamination risks are identified. These requirements apply to all produce farmers except those growing sprouts. Reaction to the new rule has been mixed.
For more information, go to fda.gov.
