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Updated: August 14, 2025

2025  |  Volume 16, Issue 5

Inside this issue:

Traceability Rule in the Food Safety Modernization Act Delayed

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed extending the deadline for the traceability rule (Section 204) under the Food Safety Modernization Act until July 2028. The rule was to go into effect in January of 2026, but the FDA is allowing more time for the industry to comply based on the complexity of the rule. The extension only relates to implementation. There are no proposed changes to the rule itself. The comment period for this proposal extension is open until September 8, 2025.

During the proposed extension, the FDA would continue working with stakeholders, including by participating in cross-sector dialogue to identify solutions to implementation challenges, and by continuing to assist industry with implementation by providing technical assistance, tools, and other resources. Additionally, the FDA is issuing new tools and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that will continue to inform stakeholders about the Food Traceability Rule and help covered entities come into compliance.

Featured in this update are the following: 

  • New FAQs & fact sheets, that will be translations into 6 additional languages
  • New examples of traceability plans for food processors, distribution centers, and aquaculture farms and facilities
  • New supply chain examples for eggs, produce, nut butter, and dual jurisdiction facilities
  • A webpage about traceability lot codes, including examples of how Key Data Elements could appear on invoices and bills of lading
  • An interactive tool that explains Critical Tracking Events and Key Data Elements
  • An interactive tool that identifies partial and full exemptions to the rule
  • Information on how to apply for a waiver or exemption, if eligible

The Food Traceability Rule applies to domestic and foreign entities producing food for U.S. consumption and was issued in 2022 in accordance with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.

August Grape Updates

By Joseph Fiola, Ph.D., UME Specialist in Viticulture and Small Fruit

Botrytis Bunch Rot

It has been fairly dry over most of the area since June, so most of us have not been thinking about Botrytis bunch rot, (BBR) (Figure 1), especially since fruit set and resulting cluster size is down, so tight clusters are not as prevalent. However, it was very wet during bloom and set, so it is likely that BBR infections are present and can present a threat if the proper conditions for development appear. I had seen botrytis on pea-sized berries on some cultivars.

Shoot thinning and leaf removal around the fruit are helpful cultural practices that increase canopy air flow, reducing the risk of having extended wet periods and improving fungicide spray coverage. Fruit thinning will also help reduce cluster-to-cluster spread.

Remember, resistance is very readily developed to many of the fungicides that we use to control BBR, so always keep in mind the resistance management principles.

More information can be found at https://extension.umd.edu/resource/disease-management-botrytis/

Tissue Sampling

In many of the vineyards and cultivars around the state, we are currently experiencing or have already passed through veraison, which is another critical time for vineyard nutrient assessment and management. The bloom period is an important time for nutrient management, as it gives an opportunity early in the season to make adjustments. However, if you miss the bloom sampling period, you have an opportunity to get veraison samples. Tissue samples taken during the current period, 75-100 days post bloom, actually give a more stable and accurate assessment of the vines' nutrient status, as there is much less movement of most macro and micro nutrients at this point in the development of the vines.

Spring/bloom tissue sampling have a timing advantage, as deficiencies can be corrected in the current growing season. Veraison samples are good for verifying and monitoring long-term nutrient status. Either can be used for developing an Nutrient Management Plan for your vineyard.

More information about sampling and lab to send samples to can be found on the Timely Viticulture webpage at https://extension.umd.edu/resource/timely-viticulture/

Upcoming UME Events!

Event: Ag Integrated Pest Management Web Series
Time: 12 noon - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Online webinar (via Zoom)
Description: Weeds, diseases, and insects are often a major concern for growers in Maryland. Integrated pest management (IPM) programs incorporate multiple pest management strategies into their production practices. Join us monthly for timely topics to help manage pests on the farms. Hosted via Zoom, on the Third Thursday of every month at noon, these one-hour sessions are both informative and interactive, providing an opportunity for participants to learn and engage with specialists in the field.

  • August 21st - Managing late-season corn earworm - Hayden Schug, University of Maryland Extension
  • September 18th - Neo-P and other strawberry diseases - Dr. Mengjun Hu, University of Maryland
  • October 16th - Cover crops for weed management - Dr. Dwayne Joseph, University of Maryland Extension

Pesticide Credits will be available but vary by date. Please contact Emily Zobel (ezobel@umd.edu) or Hayden Schug (hschug@umd.edu) for more information. 

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Emily Zobel (ezobel@umd.edu) or Hayden Schug (hschug@umd.edu).

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Event: Agri-Toursim Bus Tour
Date: August 14, 2025  |  Thursday
Cost: $20
Description: Delaware Farm Bureau and University of Delaware Cooperative Extension are hosting an Agri-tourism Bus Tour on Thursday, August 14, 2025. This tour will visit four diverse farms in Northern Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, each known for their farm markets, seasonal festivals, u-cut flowers, u-pick fruits, hayrides, and more.
Guests will enjoy guided tours at each farm, gaining an inside look at daily operations and learning helpful tips and strategies that contribute to their success.  The tour will be visiting the following operations: Duffield’s Farm & Market in Sewell, NJ, , Linvilla Orchards, located in Media, PA,, Mood’s Farm Market in Mullica Hill, NJ,  and Ramsey’s Farm in Wilmington, DE,  Tickets are $20 per person and include lunch provided by one of the host farm markets. Seating is limited and available by reservation only, so early registration is encouraged. Attendees can choose from two bus pick-up locations: Amtrak Parking Lot, 10 Mopar Dr, Newark, DE, 19713, at 7:30am or Dover Mall Parking Lot by Boscov’s on the Frontside (closest to Route 13), 1365 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901, at 6:30am
For more information and to register, visit https://defb.org/agritourism-bus-tour/.

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GAP Training Classes: Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training courses are eight hours of produce safety information. The goal is to have your farm's food safety plan initiated while you are in class. Classes form as requested. https://ume.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d5sq5Gbuqhm5nD0

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Hiring and Retaining Farm Employees – What you Need to Know and Do

Are you trying to find, hire and keep great employees? Is it a bit confusing and time consuming? Do you know where to start and who to involve? Are you worried about the legal considerations when having non-family members employed? This course will help you sort through all these questions and concerns. Navigating this process doesn’t have to be difficult as this course will share with you. Through the four modules of this course, you’ll get important information and resources you can adapt for your own operation. For more information go to https://agrisk.umd.edu/grant-proposals/hiring-and-retaining-farm-employees

Vegetable & Fruit News Volume 16 Issue 5 - Download PDF

Vegetable & Fruit News is a research-based publication for the commercial vegetable and fruit industry available electronically from April through October.  Published by the University of Maryland Extension Agriculture and Food Systems team.

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EDITOR

Emily Zobel University of Maryland Extension Agent - Dorchester County
501 Court Lane, Room 208 
Cambridge, MD 21613 
Phone: (410) 410-228-8800 
Email: ezobel@umd.edu

Note: Registered Trade Mark® Products, Manufacturers, or Companies mentioned within this newsletter are not to be considered as sole endorsements. The information has been provided for educational purposes only.