Please visit our Produce Safety Program COVID-19 page for more information and helpful links.
Produce Safety Program
Program Overview
In partnership with the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has developed the Produce Safety Program. This program encourages the safe production of fruits and vegetables, thereby reducing the public health risks for consumers of Washington. Through education and enforcement, the program promotes understanding of and compliance with the FDA Produce Safety Rule[external link], a component of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
FSMA represents the largest update to federal food safety laws in 70 years. When FSMA was signed into law by President Obama in 2011, it authorized FDA to take a preventative approach to food safety. The FDA finalized seven rules under FSMA that regulates farms and food businesses along the supply chain.
The program addresses two key goals:- Help Washington farmers comply with the FDA Produce Safety Rule.
- Consistently and uniformly apply the FDA Produce Safety Rule in Washington State.
In 2018, WSDA received state authority under RCW 15.135 to conduct produce inspections. The Produce Safety Program is developing an inspection program that emphasizes education before - and while - they regulate.
