Florida Senate passes tomato food safety bill

The Florida Senate has passed a bill related to tomato food safety. The bill requires minimum food safety standards for producing, harvesting, packing and repacking tomatoes. It authorizes the state’s Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services to inspect farms, greenhouses and packing houses. The bill also authorizes the department to impose administrative fines, not to exceed $5,000 per violation or to issue a written notice or warning for compliance violations. The bill passed 35-1. A similar bill is currently in the Florida House. If approved, the standard would take effect July 1, 2010.