Source: Tom Karst, THE PACKER, 5/21/20

   
The U.S. Department of Agriculture now has the authority under the Defense Production Act to help prevent supply interruptions at Food and Drug Administration-regulated food facilities, including farms, packinghouses and fresh-cut processing facilities. In theory, USDA could force produce facilities to stay open even if state or local officials want plants to close because of a spike COVID-19 cases. Building off an executive order in late April aimed at keeping meat processing plants open, the USDA and FDA signed a memorandum of understanding that gives USDA authority over FDA-regulated foods, including fruits and vegetables. 

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