Today the sheriff's department raided the Plant City wholesaler's market (this is where the brokers pick-up their produce to take to local markets) confiscating all tomatoes that were not in boxes that have been certified as sanitized.
Apparently the State of Florida has decided to rigorously enforce guidelines for sanitizing Florida tomatoes, both organic and conventionally grown. Read them for yourself. I did contact the Department of Agriculture and they are working to try to get the guidelines changed for greenhouse and organics. I will keep you posted.
Approved Sanitization Products (excerpt from A Guide to Tomato Good Agricultural Practices (T-GAP) &Tomato Best Management Practices (T-BMP)
a. Peroxyacetic Acid - Peroxyacetic acid products currently registered by the Department, pursuant to Florida Statutes, Section 487.041 and Rule 5E-2.031, F.A.C., may be used for sanitization if labeled for this use. The directions for concentration of product and adequate contact time must be followed closely and recorded in writing.
b. Aqueous Chlorine Dioxide - Aqueous chlorine dioxide products currently registered by the Department, pursuant to Florida Statutes, Section 487.041 and Rule 5E-2.031, F.A.C., may be used for sanitization if labeled for this use. The directions for concentration of product and adequate contact time must be followed closely and recorded in writing.
c. Free chlorine - Products delivering free chlorine for overhead spray application may be used if the products are currently registered by the Department, pursuant to Florida Statutes, Section 487.041 and Rule 5E-2.031, F.A.C., labeled for this use, and used at the concentration of product and contact time stated on the label. Records of procedure must be followed closely and documented in writing.
d. Gas-phase and Aqueous Ozone – Gas-phase or aqueous ozone may be used for tomato packing if it can be shown through a reproducible scientific study that the product, if used at a stipulated agent concentration and contact time can achieve a minimum 3 log reduction of Salmonella or like organisms. Additionally, the ozone generator must bear an EPA establishment number and must be labeled for this use on fruits and vegetables and the user must meet OSHA standards for worker protection. Label directions must be followed and procedures documented in writing.
e. Other Chemical Usage – Any other chemical product, proposed for use for tomato packing, must be registered by the Department pursuant to Florida Statutes, Section 487.041 and Rule 5E-2.031, F.A.C., and labeled for this use. Additionally, it must be shown through a reproducible scientific study that the product or process used can achieve a minimum 3 log reduction of Salmonella or like organisms. Label directions must be followed and procedures documented in writing.
