Constituent Update

May 14, 2024

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) will hold an informational webinar on Thursday, May 30, 2024, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm ET on basic mushroom growing, harvesting, holding, and packing activities under the Produce Safety Rule (PSR), Part 112.1.

The Produce Safety rule established, for the first time, science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. The final rule went into effect January 26, 2016.

The webinar will focus on information around the practices for the most common types of mushrooms, white and button. Due to recent outbreaks of foodborne illnesses linked to specialty mushrooms internationally and FDA’s Strategies to Help Prevent Listeriosis and Salmonellosis Outbreaks Associated with Imported Enoki and Imported Wood Ear Mushrooms, specialty mushrooms will also be covered during the presentation.

Guest speakers will include:

• Kristin Esch, Produce Safety Expert, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), FDA (Moderator)

• John Pecchia Ph.D., Mushroom Research Center and Spawn Laboratory in the Department of Plant Pathology, Penn State University

• Maria Gorgo-Simcox, Food Safety, IPM and Water Quality Extension Educator & Affiliate Instructor, Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, Penn State University

• Wendy Read, Food Safety Inspector, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Register for the WebinarExternal Link Disclaimer

Additional Information

• What the Produce Safety Rule Means for Consumers