FDA Extends Comment Deadline for Draft Guidances on Microbial Safety of Leafy Greens, Melons, and Tomatoes
The Food and Drug Administration has issued notices extending the deadlines for the submission of comments on three draft guidances for industry on minimizing microbial food safety hazards of leafy greens, melons, and tomatoes.
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FDA is extending the deadlines for the submission written or electronic comments on these draft guidances to January 4, 2010 (from November 2, 2009). FDA is taking this action in response to requests for an extension to allow interested persons additional time to submit comments.
Draft Guidances Offer Recommended Practices for Minimizing Microbial Hazards
FDA's guidances are intended to assist domestic firms and foreign firms exporting leafy greens, melons, and tomatoes to the U.S. by recommending practices to minimize the microbial food safety hazards of their products throughout the entire supply chain. It identifies some, but not all, of the preventive measures that these firms may take to minimize these food safety hazards.
(According to FDA, these guidances are intended to supplement existing guidances, including the "Guidance for Industry: Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables," which apply to fresh produce. See ITT's Online Archives or news, 08022999 9, for BP summary.)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 08/04/09 news, 09080430, for BP summary of the original draft guidances.)
| Amy Green (leafy greens) | (301) 436-2025 |
| Willard Crawford (melons) | (301) 436-1111 |
| Michelle Smith (tomatoes) | (301) 436-2024 |
FDA leafy greens extension notice (FR Pub 11/04/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-26637.pdf
FDA melon extension notice (FR Pub 11/04/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-26638.pdf
FDA tomatoes extension notice (FR Pub 11/04/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-26636.pdf