Path C Implementation of a Nationally Consistent Produce Safety Program in Washington State

1 Produce Safety Program Abstract 2 Project Title: Implementation of a Nationally Consistent Produce Safety Program in Washington State 3 Project Description: Following Path C using our own state authority, the Washington State Department of 4 Agriculture (WSDA) intends to further develop a sustainable infrastructure to maintain implementation of the 5 Produce Safety Program (PSP) focused on and in alignment with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) 6 Produce Safety Rule (PSR). WSDA will continue to assess the needs and opportunities related to the existing 7 regulatory program and will develop a multi-year Project Plan with the following seven overarching goals: 8 1. Conduct ongoing program assessments and planning that are essential to sustainable 9 implementation of the PSP. 10 2. Maintain foundational resources necessary to implement a sustainable PSP. 11 3. Routinely provide education, outreach, and technical assistance opportunities to the Washington 12 produce industry. 13 4. Conduct ongoing quality control of farm inventory in order to maintain a complete and accurate 14 database of Washington produce farms. 15 5. Ensure PSP’s inspection regulatory program focuses on quality and national consistency. 16 6. Coordinate implementation of a quality compliance and enforcement program for the regulated 17 produce industry. 18 7. Strengthen PSP’s event response planning infrastructure to build upon existing systems for 19 detecting, investigating, mitigating, and analyzing produce-related outbreaks. 20 To achieve these goals, WSDA will continually assess and strategically plan for resources needed aimed at 21 maintenance of the existing regulatory program; perform ongoing quality control of produce inventory to assist 22 in long-term program planning; provide opportunities of evidence-based, nationally consistent training and 23 workshops for produce growers, Cooperative Extension, and other industry members on the PSR; and develop 24 a comprehensive compliance and enforcement program focused on quality and national consistency. 25 Expected Outcomes: Continued development of WSDA’s PSP will reduce public health risks for consumers 26 of Washington produce across the country and around the world. By utilizing both education and enforcement 27 to promote understanding of and compliance with the PSR, the PSP will encourage the safe 28 growing/harvesting/packing/holding of fruits and vegetables, significantly advance a national integrated food 29 safety system, and effectively fulfill the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act. 30 Budget: $6,800,000 over five years.