Farmers who grow fresh produce have new direction from the Federal Drug Administration on managing the risk of spreading foodborne illness through irrigation water.

 The new proposed rule focuses on systems-based agricultural water assessments that can easily be adapted to a wide variety of irrigation systems, uses and practices. The goal of the updated rule is to more effectively reduce the risk of spreading microbial contamination that can lead to preventable foodborne illness, a significant public health problem.

The public comment period has closed. The Utah Produce Safety Team will keep post the latest FDA updates here.