Sec. 91.009. COORDINATION OF FOOD SAFETY. (a) The department is the lead agency for education and training and shall assist the fresh fruit and vegetable industries with food safety issues and may provide assistance to federal agencies in their implementation of voluntary guidelines relating to sound agricultural practices.
(b) The department shall coordinate, plan, and approve training and awareness programs for producers and packers of fresh fruits and vegetables. A program under this subsection must inform and educate producers and packers regarding:
(1) sound agricultural practices;
(2) proper food handling procedures;
(3) the prevention of accidental or deliberately planned outbreaks of disease; and
(4) the enhancement of overall food safety.
(c) The department shall coordinate the planning and implementation of programs required by Subsection (b) with:
(1) colleges and universities in this state;
(2) the Texas AgriLife Extension Service;
(3) Texas AgriLife Research;
(4) the Department of State Health Services; and
(5) private industry.
(d) The department may adopt rules to implement this section. In the development of rules for the certification of approved food safety curriculum or training, the department shall consult and coordinate with the Department of State Health Services.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 184 (H.B. 1908), Sec. 2, eff. May 27, 2009.
Last modified: September 28, 2016