APHIS Deregulates ToBRFV in Fruit for Consumption

On June 17, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a Federal Order designed to continue protecting the domestic pepper and tomato industry while safely deregulating tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV)-positive tomatoes and peppers for consumption.

Under the new Federal Order, APHIS will maintain its strong safeguards for imported and domestic tomato and pepper plant propagative materials, including seed, to ensure domestic fruit growers continue to be protected against ToBRFV. However, by deregulating fruit for consumption, APHIS is now allowing growers to market fruit grown at facilities where ToBRFV is detected, rather than having to destroy the fruit.

For more information, view the news release here.