Centennial State News

The Colorado Department of Agriculture is taking steps to ensure that farms across the state comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Produce Safety Rule, which includes standards for Harvest and Post-Harvest Water. This year, all farms growing produce typically consumed raw must adhere to these standards.

Over recent years, the FDA has gradually enforced regulations on harvest and post-harvest water for various farm sizes. The largest farms were required to comply by 2023. A final portion of regulations concerning pre-harvest water was finalized in May 2024, leaving some farms yet to undergo inspection since enforcement began.

“We want to provide Colorado farms with an opportunity to understand what it means to be compliant with the Produce Safety Rule and what steps they can take to prepare for an inspection,” said Produce Safety Rule Coordinator Sarah Musick. “Growers have questions about what they need to do to ensure compliance and the Ag Water Town Hall will give them an opportunity to learn and ask questions before inspection season begins.”

Farm owners and operators are invited to attend a virtual Agricultural Water Town Hall on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. They can register via the webinar registration page or at ag.colorado.gov/psr.

This year marks the end of enforcement discretion allowed by the FDA for subpart E of the Produce Safety Rule, requiring all farms to meet standards for water used during harvest and post-harvest activities like harvesting, packing, holding, and transporting produce.

The town hall will focus on helping farms understand what inspectors will look for during inspections related to Harvest and Post-Harvest agricultural water. Additionally, information on pre-harvest water regulations finalized in May 2024 will be provided.