Posted November 16, 2015

To minimize the risk of
serious adverse health consequences or death from consumption of contaminated
produce, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established science-based
minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing and holding of
produce grown for human consumption.

The rule sets forth
procedures, processes and practices that minimize the risk of serious adverse
health consequences or death, including those reasonably necessary to prevent
the introduction of known or reasonably foreseeable biological hazards into or
onto produce and to provide reasonable assurances that the produce is not
adulterated on account of such hazards. The rule is expected to reduce
foodborne illness associated with the consumption of contaminated produce.