Source: NCDA&CS, 11/6/14

Produce farmers and animal-food manufacturers can learn more about updated rules proposed under the federal Food Safety Modernization Act at a listening session Nov. 20 in Greensboro.

The session will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Daniel D. Godfrey Multi-Purpose Room in Coltrane Hall at N.C. A&T State University. It is being organized by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and hosted by the Cooperative Extension Program at the university.

The listening session will focus on updated proposed rules for produce safety and preventive controls for animal food. Attendees will haveanopportunity to pose questions to a panel ofsubject matter experts from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and learn more about the rulemaking process.

FSMA, the most sweeping reform of U.S. food safety laws in more than 70 years, was signed into law by President Obama on Jan. 4, 2011. FSMA aims to ensure the safety of the U.S. food supply by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it.

On Sept. 29, the FDA released updated proposed rules for comment, largely because of an unprecedented level of comments and valuable input from farmers and others directly affected by the regulations.

“This is an important opportunity to hear from FDA staff and ask questions before the public comment period on these proposed rules closes on Dec. 15,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, who will attend the meeting.

Individuals interested in attending the listening session are encouraged to register at www.ncagr.gov/FDAlisten so that organizers will have an estimate of the audience size. Anyone with questions should contact Christina Waggett with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 919-707-3008.