WSDA Warning Producers To Watch For High Waters

Following steady snow and rain over the past couple of weeks, the Washington State Department of Agriculture is reminding growers to be vigilant when it comes to the impact floods has on their crops.  While late fall and early winter is not typically a primary growing season in this region, certain crops such as garlic, cabbage, and kale that overwinter or are cold hardy can present food safety hazards if fields are flooded.  Surface water flowing onto a farm during a flood contains known or reasonably foreseeable hazards, microbial (from animals or animal feces) as well as chemical (oil and pesticides for example).  If that water comes into contact with produce, the produce is considered adulterated.

"Due to the different crops that could be impacted and unique topography of each farm and field, it is up to each grower to assess the risk to their crops and ensure that adulterated produce does not reach consumers,” said WSDA Produce Safety Program Manager Connie Fisk.

The Produce Safety Rule (PSR) includes requirements for water that comes in contact with the harvestable portion of the crop (not just the edible portion) and considers the harvestable portion to be present from the time of flowering for fruiting crops and from the time root crops and leafy green seedlings are planted in the field.  While the entire harvested portion may not be consumed, it can contaminate the edible portion when harvested and packed on the farm and once the consumer gets it home.

The Department of Ag has made available several resources to help evaluate whether crops in the field during a flooding event are adulterated and not suitable for human consumption: 

• Food Safety for Flooded Farms
• Guidance for Industry: Evaluating the Safety of Flood-affected Food Crops for Human Consumption
• Safety of Food and Animal Food Crops Affected by Hurricanes, Flooding, and Power Outages 

WSDA Food Safety recommends, if growers’ crops have been impacted by flood water, documenting the details considered when evaluating your risk, such as: 

• Date or dates the flood event took place
• The severity of flooding; the depth of flood water relative to plant height, stage of plant development, and whether it contacted the harvestable portion of the crop
• Source of the flood water
• Any potential contaminants from adjacent and nearby land use (e.g., runoff from roadways, animal production areas, sewage from a water treatment plant, etc.). 

Also, the WSDA reminds all producers before cleaning up the field or destroying produce, check with the farm’s crop insurance and/or local Farm Services Agency representatives regarding exact documentation to certify losses, procedures for initiating claims, and possible financial assistance.  Those with questions, or in need of assistance when it comes to evaluating produce safety risk, they are encouraged to contact WSDA’s Produce Safety Program

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