FDA Proposes Produce Safety Regulations; Will Apply to Foreign Farms, Subject to FSVP

The Food and Drug Administration proposed its produce safety rule Jan. 4, alongside its proposed rule on Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventative Controls. The produce safety rule would apply to farms that grow, harvest, pack, or hold covered produce, including foreign farms that export to the U.S., with certain exceptions. Under the upcoming Foreign Supplier Verification Program, imports will have to verify their foreign suppliers’ compliance with either produce safety regulations or HARPC requirements, depending on the product being imported. The proposed produce safety rule is currently on public inspection, and is set for publication in the Jan. 16 Federal Register. See a future issue of International Trade Today for details.