Federal officials from the Food and Drug Administration recently met with New Jersey farmers to answer question about new inspection and safety requirements that have recently gone into effect.
The regulations are part of the Food Safety and Modernization Act signed into law by President Barack Obama in January 2011. The act was designed to overhaul existing FDA policies and increase the power of the agency when dealing with contaminated food. In particular, it authorized the FDA to order recalls of contaminated food (a power it did not previously have). The regulations have been in the works for more than a decade.
Despite being law for more than two years, many parts of the act have been significantly delayed. The FDA and US Department of Agriculture have been slow in creating new standards.
With a major part of the new law focusing on overhauling growing, packing, shipping, and storing standards, the FDA has been asking farmers to comment on proposed rules in order to better gauge the needs and desires of the farm community.
The New Jersey meeting will likely be one of many as the FDA seeks input from farmers and ranchers from across the country.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmloans.com.
Follow us on: Twitter
Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer