Developed through the Reagan-Udall Foundation and informed by more than 170 stakeholders, the Roadmap to Produce Safety report published July 29 recommends forming an independently governed, stakeholder-led coalition to coordinate efforts that reduce risk and prevent contamination across the produce supply chain.
The roadmap is part of the FDA’s broader vision to strengthen the Human Foods Program and comes amid continued challenges with produce-related foodborne illness outbreaks, such as cucumbers and romaine lettuce.
Despite efforts under FSMA, the produce safety system remains “fragmented, uncoordinated and under-resourced,” according to the report.
Two core recommendations: Shared ownership and independent leadership
The report calls for two foundational shifts:
- Shared responsibility: All players – from growers and packers to buyers and regulators – must actively implement practices that reduce risk and invest in prevention strategies.
- Stakeholder-led coalition: A stand-alone, industry-driven collaboration must be created to coordinate these efforts over time. While FDA will actively participate, it supports the recommendation that regulators should not lead the coalition.
The FDA also is establishing an Office of Produce Safety, with a national search underway for a director to oversee efforts that complement the roadmap’s vision, including agricultural water standards, import safety and data-sharing.
FMI and IFPA back industry-led collaboration
Trade associations are already showing support of the initiative.
FMI – The Food Industry Association praised FDA’s direction and underscored the industry’s ongoing commitment to produce safety.
“Efforts to enhance produce safety require a collaborative effort across the entire produce supply chain and a continued focus on training, resources and research,” said Hilary Thesmar, chief science officer and SVP of food and product safety programs at FMI.
“We share FDA’s interest in protecting and promoting the health of Americans, as demonstrated by our members’ years-long prioritization of produce safety and dedication to providing safe, wholesome and healthy products for consumers,” Thesmar added.
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) echoed this sentiment, pointing to its role in helping shape the roadmap through active involvement in the stakeholder collaboration process.
“We believe that such a collaborative approach is fundamental in not only setting the direction, but also committing to the shared responsibility to follow the roadmap to enhance produce safety from farm to fork,” Max Teplitski, chief science officer at IFPA, said.
Teplitski added that robust investments will be essential, including the development of reliable detection tools, data-driven action plans and “adequate” federal and state funding to ensure successful collaboration.
Strategic focus areas for the coalition
The report outlines eight priorities for coalition-led action to fill critical gaps and align resources with public health priorities, especially in light of increasing supply chain complexity, extreme weather and evolving consumer expectations.
- Development of risk-based best practices
- Expansion of buyer-supplier safety alignment
- Produce import safety protocols
- Greater investment in research and technical assistance
- Outreach and grower support
- One Health/agricultural ecosystem approaches
- Enhanced public-private collaboration
- Incentive structures to drive adoption of safety practices
