FDA Produce Safety Rule - Agricultural Water Treatment

The proposed rule does not specify a specific water treatment or method for treating agricultural water when treatment would be required. The proposed rule would require you to use a treatment method that is effective to make the water safe and of adequate sanitary quality for its intended use. The proposed rule would also require you to deliver the treatment in a manner to ensure that the treated water consistently meets that standard, and to monitor the treatment at a frequency adequate to ensure that the treated water consistently meets that standard.

Treating agricultural water with antimicrobial compounds (such as with an EPA-registered antimicrobial pesticide product) can be an effective means to eliminate pathogens if done properly, including under conditions that ensure the effectiveness of the active ingredient. Any chemicals used in the treatment of water would require EPA registration under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act before they can lawfully be used.