The purpose of this rule development is to develop rules to enhance the safety of fresh tomatoes produced, packed, repacked, distributed and sold in Florida or from Florida and to implement Chapter 2007-67, Laws of Florida, adopted during the 2007 ...

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Division of Fruit and Vegetables

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
5G-6.001: DEFINITIONS
5G-6.003: INSPECTION
5G-6.005: REGISTRATION
5G-6.007: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule development is to develop rules to enhance the safety of fresh tomatoes produced, packed, repacked, distributed and sold in Florida or from Florida and to implement Chapter 2007-67, Laws of Florida, adopted during the 2007 Legislative Session. The rules will include the registration of tomato producers, packers and re-packers, and an educational component for tomato producers, packers, re-packers and workers. Procedures and processes will be developed to include tomato food safety inspections of tomato farms, tomato greenhouses, in tomato packing and re-packing houses. The rules will include guidelines entitled Tomato Good Agricultural Practices (T-GAP) which relate to field and greenhouse production and Tomato Best Management Practices (T-BMP) which relate to packinghouse operations and post-harvest handling. Preliminary guidelines have been drafted through a cooperative effort between the FDACS and the Florida Tomato Industry to implement needed practices and procedures for safe production and handling of tomatoes. These rules will have an effect on those establishments permitted by the FDACS in the State of Florida who produce or handle tomatoes from field production through packing.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: This rule development will address registration, inspection and educational requirements in the tomato industry for producers, packers, re-packers and workers. This rule development will address the adoption of the Tomato Good Agricultural Practices (T-GAP) and Tomato Best Management Practices (T-BMP) guidelines for performing tomato food safety inspections on the farm, in tomato greenhouses and in tomato packing houses.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 500.09, 500.12(1)(f), 570.07(23) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 500.02, 500.03, 500.04, 500.09, 500.10, 500.11, 500.12, 500.13, 570.07, 570.48, 570.481 FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Lee M. Cornman, Assistant Director, Division of Food Safety, 3125 Conner Boulevard, Mail Stop C-18, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650; telephone: [phone]

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS NOT AVAILABLE.