A New Era of Smarter Food Safety; Public Meeting

Dear Deputy Commissioner Yiannas: The Northwest Horticultural Council (NHC) represents the growers, packers, and shippers of apples, pears, and cherries in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington on federal and international policy and regulatory issues. Approximately 67 percent of the apples, and 74 percent of both the pears and sweet cherries grown in the United States come from the Pacific Northwest region. We write today in response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) request for comment published in the U.S. Federal Register under Docket Number FDA-2019-N-4187 regarding a New Era of Smarter Food Safety. We appreciate the opportunity to weigh in regarding these important topics raised by the agency. Please see our detailed comments in the attached PDF. We thank FDA for posing these thoughtful questions regarding important issues affecting food safety systems and public health. We encourage you to consider the comments provided above, and to continue an open and transparent dialogue with industry as you further consider agency actions on these matters. Sincerely, NORTHWEST HORTICULTURAL COUNCIL Kate Tynan Senior Vice President