Sandra L. Largaespada - Comment

Document ID: FDA-2011-N-0921-0037
Document Type: Public Submission
Agency: Food And Drug Administration
Received Date: February 20 2013, at 12:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
Date Posted: March 13 2013, at 12:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
Comment Start Date: January 31 2013, at 12:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
Comment Due Date: May 16 2013, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time
Tracking Number: 1jx-83s9-1232
View Document:

This is comment on Proposed Rule

Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption: Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food; Public Meeting

View Comment

The second rule proposes there be enforceable safety standards in the production and harvesting of produce. This new proposal will favorably increase the partnership between the industry, states, governments and consumers; hopefully strengthening the efforts to maintain a safe and hazard-free food supply. The farm to fork system is a critical process in the overall production and processing of food. With this law, the fruits and vegetables being distributed to consumers will provide higher surveillance measures and increase the safety quality of the produce. My concerns are in relation to the 26 month deadline for large farms to comply but the smaller farms have “additional time” to do so. The rule should specify what the additional time span is when it is sent to the Federal Register in order to ensure that everyone abides to it. The rule should also clarify what strategies it will use and what actions it will take to ensure that enforceable safety standards are followed.