Press Announcements > Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., and Deputy Commissioner Frank Yiannas on advancing new tools and science for implementing agricultural water requirements for produce safety

Press Announcements > Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., and Deputy Commissioner Frank Yiannas on advancing new tools and science for implementing agricultural water requirements for produce safety





Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., and Deputy Commissioner Frank Yiannas on advancing new tools and science for implementing agricultural water requirements for produce safety 

As FDA finalizes previously proposed extensions to compliance dates for agricultural water requirements, the agency is providing an update on how it is using the additional time to ensure the feasibility of federal requirements and incorporate lessons learned from recent romaine lettuce outbreaks

A critical component to growing, harvesting, packing and holding of fruits and vegetables for human consumption involves the use of agricultural water—water that’s likely to come into contact with produce or food contact surfaces. This can include water used to grow crops, to clean harvested crops, and water sprayed on harvested produce in order to prevent dehydration. Because water can carry pathogens that can potentially contaminate crops, agricultural water is a...