FDA announces cooperative agreement with NASDA

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a cooperative agreement with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) to provide information and resources to help state and territorial regulatory agencies plan and implement the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. 

The agreement will provide the necessary funding to allow NASDA to assist state and territorial produce safety regulatory programmes in developing produce safety programmes. The idea is that programmes will encourage the safe production of fresh fruits and vegetables and promote understanding of and compliance with the Produce Safety Rule.

As part of the five-year agreement, NASDA will also work with the agency to plan and host an annual National Consortium meeting of the involved state and territorial regulatory agencies. The meeting will provide programme updates, share best practices and provide the FDA with feedback on opportunities for enhancements and programme adjustments to the Produce Safety Rule.

Additionally, NASDA will work with the FDA to implement and update the On-Farm Readiness Review system and develop a national produce safety regulatory programme that promotes a uniform foundation of produce safety.