1. (a) There is a Maryland Produce Safety Program in the Department.
2. (b) The purpose of the Program is to reduce the risk of adverse impacts on human health from the consumption of contaminated produce.
3. (c) The Program shall conform with the federal standards for growing, harvesting, packing, and holding produce for human consumption.

4. (d)

   1. (1) The Secretary shall administer and enforce the Program.

   2. (2) The Secretary may:

      1. (i) Delegate the Secretary's authority to enforce the standards for sprouts established under 21 C.F.R. Part 112, Subpart M, to the Secretary of Health;
      2. (ii) Grant a qualified exemption to a farm; and
      3. (iii) On notice and opportunity to be heard, and in accordance with 21 C.F.R. Part 112, Subpart R, suspend or revoke a qualified exemption granted to a farm by the Secretary.

Added by Acts 2019, c. 131, § 1, eff. July 1, 2019.