FDA Releases Industry Guidance for Food Safety Hazards for Fresh-Cut Produce

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a final guidance document entitled "Guidance for Industry: Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-cut Fruits and
Vegetables.”

Previously, FDA announced the availability of the fresh-cut guidance as a "draft final" document, pending approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of the information collection provisions in the guidance. FDA is publishing this notice to announce that the fresh-cut guidance is now final. The text of the guidance has not changed from the previously published draft final version.

The fresh-cut guidance complements FDA's current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements for foods by providing specific guidance on the processing of fresh-cut produce. The fresh-cut guidance and the CGMP regulations are intended to assist processors in minimizing microbial food safety hazards common to the processing of most fresh-cut fruits and vegetables sold to consumers and retail establishments in a ready-to-eat form.

Read the full notice here.