FDA Announces New Protocol for the Development and Registration of Treatments for Preharvest Agricultural Water

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FDA Announces New Protocol for the Development and Registration of Treatments for Preharvest Agricultural Water

The EPA-approved protocol can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments in reducing microbial contamination in agricultural water

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a new protocol for the development and registration of antimicrobial treatments for preharvest agricultural water, such as the water used in farm irrigation systems. The protocol was developed through a collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Companies can now use data developed under this protocol to support the EPA registration of products that can treat agricultural water against foodborne bacteria, which could provide farmers with a useful tool to help protect the safety of produce intended for consumers, like romaine lettuce and other leafy greens. The announcement was made during a webinar on the FDA’s 2020 Leafy Green STEC Action Plan. “This new protocol is a huge milestone for produce safety and for the Leafy Green Action Plan released by the FDA earlier this year. Working together, the FDA and EPA have supported the development of this protocol that may ultimately help farmers address contamination issues in their water sources and protect consumers from foodborne illness,” said FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Frank Yiannas. “We must all work together to ...

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