SACRAMENTO, March 27, 2019 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced it will use its discretion and not enforce Produce Safety Rule requirements for growers of winegrapes.
The agency’s announcement follows continued efforts by the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) to exempt winegrapes from the Produce Safety Rule. CAWG worked with the Oregon Winegrowers Association and Washington Winegrowers Association to obtain the exemption.
FDA also announced it will exercise enforcement discretion with almonds, hops and pulse crops.
“This is great news for winegrape growers,” CAWG President John Aguirre said. “FDA recognizes the fact that winegrapes are not consumed raw and winegrape growers should be exempted from the Produce Safety Rule. CAWG will continue to work with Congress and FDA to make sure this exemption remains intact.”
Additional information from FDA:
FDA in Brief
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/FDAInBrief/ucm634549.htm
Constituent Update
https://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm634253.htm
Guidance
https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/UCM634248.htm
