Environmental Impact Statement on Produce Rule

The FDA intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will evaluate the potential environmental effects of the proposed rule Standards for Growing, Harvesting, Packing and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption. FDA is also announcing the beginning of a “scoping process” to determine relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis. The Agency doesn’t anticipate that the EIS will delay final rule deliberations but will help by generating additional data and analysis and providing opportunity for stakeholder engagement. Comments are due by Nov. 15, 2013.