Proposed National Marketing Agreement Regulating Leafy Green Vegetables; Recommended Decision and Opportunity to File Written Exceptions to Proposed Marketing Agreement No. 970. Docket Number: AO-FV-09-0138; AMS-FV-09-0029; FV09-970-1.
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) recommends establishing a national marketing agreement to regulate the handling of leafy green vegetables, including but not limited to lettuce, spinach, and cabbage. The proposed program, referred to as the National Leafy Green Marketing Agreement (NLGMA), would minimize the potential for microbial contamination, thereby improving customer confidence in leafy green vegetables in the marketplace. The program would be available to operations of all sizes, locations, and agricultural practices.
The NLGMA would authorize the development and implementation of handling regulations to reflect U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Good Handling Practices (GHPs).
The proposed regulation found at the link above provides complete details about the voluntary program, governance structure, board representation, technical review committee makeup, and its administration by a National Leafy Green Vegetable Board (Board) with USDA oversight.
All interested parties, including small, organic, and diversified operations, were encouraged to submit comments concerning USDA’s Recommended Decision to establish the NLGMA.
Comments were due by July 28, 2011.
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