The comment period for both the Proposed Produce Rule and the Proposed Preventive Controls Rule ends on September 16th. Both of these rules have the potential to impact many farms across NJ. Your comments are important and can be made online for both the Produce Rule and the Preventive Controls Rule. (Click on the highlighted rule name to access the comment page.)
Here are a few proposed regulations will be of interest to growers:
Proposed Produce Safety Rule
– How are annual farm sales calculated?
– How often will ag water need to be tested?
– What is the acceptable timing for animal based compost, and why is it not the same as the NOP standards?
– When does raw manure become compost according to the rule?
– Are wooden containers acceptable?
– Can boxes be reused?
– Are cats allowed in the packing house?
Proposed Preventive Controls Rule
– What qualifies as a “food facility”?
– What qualifies as a “very small business” and exemption?
– What is HACCP certification?
– What needs to be covered in my food safety plan to comply with the preventive controls rule?
– What recordkeeping do I need to comply with?
For more information on the Proposed Produce Rule read the FDA Proposed Produce Rule Q&A .
