Reminder – FSMA Compliance date extension for Cotton Ginning Facilities

Back in August of 2016 FDA extended compliance dates for cotton ginning facilities under the animal food rule. Off-farm facilities solely engaged in cotton ginning that provide products (for example, cotton seed and lint) without further processing for use as animal food now have additional time to comply with the applicable requirements in the CGMP and Preventive Controls Rule for Animal Food. The earliest compliance date is January 28, 2019 since cotton gins are exempt from the CGMP portion of the rule.

For cotton ginning facilities who are classified as a farm, you are exempt from the Preventive Control Rule for Animal Food.

The California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association continues to work with FDA to classify all cotton gins as farms and therefore become exempt from the Preventive Controls for Animal Food Rule. For now, be assured your compliance date is not until the beginning of 2019. We will keep you updated!