The National Watermelon Association’s Bob Morrissey Talks Food Safety
March 29, 2016 
Robert Morrissey
The final Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rule on Produce Safety was released last fall. Watermelon growers who are subject to the law need to determine what they have to do to be in compliance. Bob Morrissey, the Executive Director of the National Watermelon Association, talks about audit schemes, packing facilities, and more.
What are watermelon growers’ biggest concerns about the food safety rules?
Morrissey: Actually, the FSMA rules do not seem to pose any significant issues for our industry. The majority of the produce safety rule mirrors what the industry has been doing for many years. We have to learn about the new water testing before those expectations go into effect, and possibly another new expectation or two. All in all, FSMA looks to be just fine.
The biggest concerns lie with those audit schemes (and riders) that follow a one-size-fits-all style. They place expectations that are warranted for one crop group, but not needed with another (and they lack science to verify the expectation).
Another concern is that the [audit] scheme owners may/will “enforce” FSMA before FDA does. That is not practical whatsoever. FDA is committed to educate first — enforce second. And, we have some learning to do with FSMA (as complex as it is). The scheme owners (and riders) should work in concert with FDA’s timeline — not before.
What about packing shed requirements?
Morrissey: Enclosed is not mandatory. Our industry has been packing watermelons either in open sheds (with one or more open walls), sometimes referred to as pole barns, or in the fields, for nearly a century. We do not see that packing practice changing in the future. The possibility of enclosing packing sheds is not practical nor economically feasible. With a harvest/packing season that typically runs from four to six weeks in one location, and with no science to show that enclosing a shed would improve the safeness of the crop, we will continue to operate as we have — with good food safety practices in place, and a reliance on science.
In your opinion, what is the best course for watermelon growers to take in order to be in compliance with FSMA?
Morrissey: FSMA implementation, with FDA’s help during the first year to “educate first – then enforce” is very welcome to us. Their path forward will help us to assure that we are complying with FSMA prior to its enforcement. Our recommendation to the industry is to take advantage of any training that may exist in their local area, ask questions, and know what the expectations are for their operation. We all look forward to the guidance that FDA will offer to us.
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