4558241, 5K-4.002 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 4558241

Notice of Development of Rulemaking

Department:

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

Division:

Division of Food Safety

Chapter:

FOOD

Overview

RULE:

5K-4.002	Adoption of Federal Regulations and Other Standards
5K-4.004	General Requirements for the Manufacturing, Processing, Packing, Holding and Retailing of Foods
5K-4.020	Food Permits; Requirements and Fees

PURPOSE:

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:

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.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

500.09, 500.12(1)(f), 570.07(23) FS.

LAW:

500.02, 500.03, 500.04, 500.09, 500.10, 500.11, 500.12, 500.13, 570.07, 570.48, 570.481 FS.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

9/7/2007 Vol. 33/36

RELATED STATUTES
AND LAWS:

500.09, 500.12(1)(f), 570.07(23) FS., 500.02, 500.03, 500.04, 500.09, 500.10, 500.11, 500.12, 500.13, 570.07, 570.48, 570.481 FS.

OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE:

Joint Administrative Procedures Committee
Florida Administrative Law Central Online Network (F.A.L.C.O.N.)

RELATED COURT CASES:

Division of Administrative Hearings

FEDERAL eRULEMAKING
WEB PORTAL:

Regulations.gov

HOW TO LINK TO
THIS NOTICE:

http://flrules.org/gateway/ruleno.asp?id=5K-4.002&PDate=9/7/2007&Section=1

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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