Neil Evans was quoted in a March 22 Capital Press article titled “FDA Starts On-Farm Inspections in Oregon.” The article discusses how FDA inspectors are beginning to conduct routine on-farm inspections of large operations to ensure compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act. The goal of these inspections is to ensure farmers understand the regulation and to minimize and prevent food-borne illnesses.
Familiar with recent inspections of Oregon farms and well-versed on regulatory food safety issues, Evans provides insights on what farmers should expect if the FDA comes knocking.
“If a grower is accused of having a contaminated crop during an inspection, he’s then likely subject to formal FDA action and should seek the advice of a lawyer,” said Lane Powell attorney Neil Evans.
When notified of an upcoming FDA visit, farmers should ask about the extent of the inspection, such has how long it will last and what will be examined, “Try to set some parameters or understand their parameters,” said Evans.