Hop Growers of America

FDA Announces Enforcement Discretion Policy for Hops

April 02, 2019

A significant action by the US Food and Drug Administration was issued last week when the agency announced it will use its discretion and not enforce Produce Safety Rule requirements as they apply to growing, harvesting, packing, and holding hops, wine grapes, pulse crops, and almonds.  Hop Growers of America, along with the WA, OR and ID Hop Commissions, have been working on this issue for the past several years.

While hops are still not on the list of “rarely consumed raw (RCR) produce”, the FDA does not intend to enforce the Produce Safety Rule for hops.  HGA will continue to work with Congress and the FDA on the permanent inclusion of hops on the list.  However, this move by the FDA is a step in the right direction and offers growers greater assurance that the Produce Safety Rule does not apply.  The Guidance document is attached.

Special thanks to Congressmen Dan Newhouse and Peter DeFazio, along with members of the House Small Brewer Caucus, for their ongoing efforts during the past two years to achieve this outcome.  HGA also appreciates the support of merchant/processor companies who assisted this effort by writing letters, supplying data regarding disposition of the crop, and help with HGA’s expenses for legal counsel. If you would like to financially assist HGA with legal fees to rectify this issue on behalf of the industry, please email [email protected]. 

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