The comment period on a proposed supplemental rule that goes with the Food Safety Modernization Act will end on December 14th. Final regulations should go into effect during the summer of 2015. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration believes that the proposed revisions on produce safety are “more flexible and less burdensome” in many ways. 

The proposed supplement rules are related to water quality testing, strategies for using manure on crops, further defining what constitutes a “farm”, animal intrusions on produce farms and other issues.

The rule affects roughly 35,000 U.S. farmers, all of whom will have 2 to 4 years to comply. Fruit and vegetable growers will also be required to attend a Produce Safety Alliance workshop and develop an official food safety plan.

For more information, visit FDA.gov.