Notice of Change/Withdrawal

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Division of Fruit and Vegetables
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
5G-6.007: Annual Food Permit Requirements of Tomato Packers and Repackers
5G-6.009: Tomato Best Practices Manual
NOTICE OF CHANGE
Notice is hereby given that the following changes have been made to the proposed rule in accordance with subparagraph 120.54(3)(d)1., F.S., published in Vol. 35 No. 3, January 23, 2009 issue of the Florida Administrative Weekly.

5G-6.007 Annual Food Permit Requirements of Tomato Packers and Repackers.

(1) An annual food permit is required for all packers and repackers of tomatoes in Florida. A permit number will be assigned by the Department following receipt of the Annual Tomato Packer/Repacker Permit Application, DACS-07151 (Rev. 06/09 08/08), herein incorporated by reference. A copy of the permit application can be obtained by contacting the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Fruit and Vegetables, P. O. Box 1072, Winter Haven, Florida 32881-3403 or on the internet at http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/onestop/forms/07151.pdf.

(2) The annual permit fee shall be $100.00 per applicant and must accompany the Annual Tomato Packer/Repacker Permit Application. No establishment shall be issued a food permit until all applicable fees are received by the Department.

(3) All fees and fines collected by the Department to cover the cost of providing the inspection service for tomato packinghouses and repackers shall be deposited into the General Inspection Trust Fund.

Rulemaking Authority 500.09(3), 500.12(1)(b), (f), 570.07(6), 570.07(23) FS. Law Implemented 500.03(1)(n), 500.12(1)(a), (b), 570.48(2)(e), 570.481(1)(a), (b) FS. History–New 4-16-08, Amended________.

 

5G-6.009 Tomato Best Practices Manual.

(1) The Tomato Best Practices Manual (DACS-P-01580, Rev.10/08) is hereby incorporated by reference and contains the specifications of the T-GAP and the T-BMP. Copies of the manual may be obtained by contacting the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Fruits and Vegetables, P. O. Box 1072, Winter Haven, Florida 33881-3403, (863)291-5820 or obtained electronically through the following website: http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/fruits/. The Tomato Best Practices Manual (DACS-P-01580, Rev.10/08) refers to the following Federal regulations which are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference: 21 CFR § 110 (2008); 21 CFR § 178.1010 (2008); 29 CFR § 1928.110 (2008); 40 CFR § 131.41(c) (2008); and 40 CFR § 141.63 (2008) which are available at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html.

(2) The Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Fresh Tomato Supply Chain, 2nd Edition (July 2008), is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference with the exception that on page 18, chapter VI.4.a.vii. all preharvest agricultural water sources used in greenhouse production for non-foliar irrigation shall meet the standard for E.coli in recreational waters contained in 40 CFR § 131.41(c) (2008). The Guidelines document was developed by the North American Tomato Trade Working Group composed of the United States, Canada and Mexico and is recognized in the Tomato Best Practices Manual as guidance for good agricultural practices. A copy may be obtained electronically through the following website: http://www.floridatomatoes.org/TomatoGuidelinesJuly08FINAL.pdf. The Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Fresh Tomato Supply Chain, 2nd Edition (July 2008) refers to following Federal regulations which are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference: 21 CFR 173.315; and 21 CFR Chapter 1, Subpart J (1.326-1.368) (2008) which are available at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html.

Rulemaking Authority 500.09(1)(b), (4), 500.12(1)(f), 570.07(6), 570.07(23) FS. Law Implemented 500.09(1)(b), (4), 500.12(1)(f) FS. History–New 4-16-08, Amended________.