Gurmail S. Mudahar - Comment

In the Produce Safety Rule FDA addresses several controllable factors (irrigation water, soil amendments, worker hygiene, animal intrusion and equipment sanitation) that may be responsible for most of the produce contamination. Since produce is grown in the open environment, there is always a likelihood of environmental contamination from uncontrollable factors such as birds, flies, wind and dust. There is a significant research evidence of such contamination available. FDA has not mentioned these type of contamination in the Produce Safety Rule. We would like FDA to acknowledge the possibility of environmental contamination and provide guidance for control and education so that produce safety is further improved.