It can be hard to understand the changes that the FDA has proposed in the new Produce Safety Water Rule. This video summarizes the proposed changes and what they mean for you, as a grower.

Still need help understanding parts of FDA's new proposed water rule? Check out this website for a collection of all of the water rule resources created by the Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety Team and the University of Minnesota Food Safety Program.

Whether you have praise or criticism for the FDA on their proposed changes to the FSMA Produce Safety Agriculture Water Rule it is important to express your point of view by submitting a comment on the potential changes. With the deadline for submitting a comment right around the corner (April 5^th, 2022) now is the time to connect with your local technician for help to drafting your comment.

Understanding the Proposed Changes: Technicians can help you understand the proposed changes to the water rule and how they may have an effect on your operation specifically.

In reviewing the FSMA Proposed Water Rule, you might get the impression that testing water is no longer important. On the contrary, water testing is still fairly important, and here’s how.

One of the key exemptions in the proposed water rule is meeting postharvest water quality standards. If your water meets the postharvest water quality standard, you are exempted from conducting an Agricultural Water Assessment. For reference, Postharvest water must be either treated municipal water or ground water with no detectable generic E. coli per 100 ml., sampled four times per year initially and once per year thereafter. Additionally, untreated surface water must not be used postharvest.