PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Requiring special bins for storing organic fruit.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 15.86 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Organic handling standards require that organic food products are not contaminated during handling. Analysis of organic fruit held in controlled atmosphere has indicated low levels of diphenylamine present. Additional requirements are needed to prevent the contamination of organic fruit by diphenylamine residues. Special dedicated bins for organic fruit should prevent the contamination of organic fruit with diphenylamine residues.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: The agency is developing the proposal in coordination with the Organic Advisory Board.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by writing to Washington State Department of Agriculture, Organic Food Program, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, fax (360) 902-2087, or e-mail mmcevoy@agr.wa.gov. Comments should be made by June 30, 1999.
May 17, 1999
Candace Jacobs
Assistant Director