Oregon, Washington Host FDA Listening Session on Fresh Produce Food Safety Standards

SALEM, OR – Small farm operators and interested parties in Oregon and Washington are invited to comment on fresh produce food safety standards being developed by the US Food and Drug Administration. A listening session co-hosted by the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is scheduled for May 5, 2010 in Portland with officials from FDA, the US Department of Agriculture, and the two hosting state departments of agriculture on hand to take input.

FDA is currently developing fresh produce safety standards for farms and packing houses along with strategies and cooperative efforts to ensure compliance. Officials are interested in hearing concerns and experiences with implementing food safety requirements in farming and packing operations. The input will help guide efforts to enact food safety regulations for the produce industry over the next few years.

ODA Director Katy Coba and WSDA Director Dan Newhouse will provide opening remarks at the listening session.

The Pacific Northwest Small Farms Listening Session will be held Wednesday, May 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 Noon at the Sheraton Inn Portland Airport, 8235 NE Airport Way. Registration is not necessary. For more information, contact Sherry Kudna, ODA, at (503) 986-4619 or by e-mail at skudna@oda.state.or.us

Listening session agenda http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/docs/pdf/news/100421fda_agenda.pdf

Federal docket providing background information on FDA procedurehttp://www.oregon.gov/ODA/docs/pdf/news/100421fda_docket.pdf