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 2026, but FDA is allowing more time for the industry to comply based on the complexity of the rule. FDA will publish in the Federal Register the final notices for the extension in the near future. The extension only relates to implementation. There are no proposed changes to the rule itself.
New Addendums for the USDA Harmonized and Harmonized Plus Audits
On July 3, 2025, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service released 3 new addenda to the Harmonized and Harmonized GAP Plus+ Standards: Warehouse, Food Defense, and Integrated Pest Management. All of which will require additional records. Requirements in the existing Harmonized and Harmonized GAP Plus+ standards have not changed. These new standards, versions 3.1 and 5.1 respectively, are effective July 3, 2025. Growers do not need to have these addendums audited unless a buyer requests one or all. Go to USDA Harmonized Audits to review the additions here Harmonized GAP | Agricultural Marketing Service.
March 21, 2025 Wes Kline and Jennifer Matthews
Cleaning and Sanitizing Tools for the Production Season
Now is the time to think about where there are potential sanitation issues on your farm. At the start of the season all your bins, totes and harvesting tools that come in contact with the harvestable part of the crop should be washed and sanitized before using. First, they should be cleaned and scrubbed with a soap then rinsed off prior to sanitizing. Rinsing is important since some sanitizers will interact with the soap and that could reduce the efficacy of the sanitizer. Once they are cleaned and sanitized let them dry then place in a protected area. Train workers on how to decide whether a container should be cleaned and the process for cleaning and sanitizing.
During the season picking baskets should be checked after each use to see if cleaning and sanitizing is required. You do not need to do this every day, but when a sufficient number of containers are dirty, take the time to clean them. We cannot get rid of risks on farms completely, but this step is essential to reducing risks.
If you use a packing or wash line, it should be cleaned and sanitized at the beginning of the season and after each use. This could be done at the end of the day or just before using the next time. There are four steps to cleaning and sanitizing a piece of equipment.
- Remove any obvious dirt or debris from the surface.
- Apply an appropriate detergent and scrub the surface. There are no set recommendations as to which detergent to use. Scrubbing is important to remove dirt that sticks to the surface and any biofilms that can have formed. Biofilms are a community of microorganisms that stick together and form a protective layer around themselves.
- Rinse the surface with clean water making sure to remove all the detergent and soil. If the detergent is not removed, it may react with the sanitizer making it ineffective.
- Apply a sanitizer approved for use on a food contact surface. Make sure to read the label for the concentration and contact time. Each product may require different contact time from a few seconds to several minutes. Remember the label is the law so follow what the label requires.
There is a difference between cleaning and sanitizing. Cleaning is the physical removal of soil from the surface which includes the use of clean water and a detergent. Sanitizing is the treatment of a cleaned surface to reduce or eliminate microorganisms. Remember you cannot sanitize a dirty surface! The surface must be cleaned first!
For more information please see the links below or visit our website
onfarmfoodsafety.rutgers.edu
Video on cleaning and sanitizing a packing line: Single Line Pass Surface Sanitation: Deep Clean
Choosing the correct sanitizers: PSA EPA-Labeled Sanitizers for Produce
Correct dosage rates for sanitizers: Sanitizer Dose Calculator
Food Safety Modernization Act Traceability Rule Delayed
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced March 20 that the Traceability Rule is being delayed for 30 months. The rule was to go into effect January 1, 2026, but now enforcement will not start for at least 2.5 years. FDA will be publishing a proposed rule at a later date. There are no indications at this time what changes they plan to make or how it will impact growers of different size operations.
LAST CHANCE FOR FSMA PRODUCE SAFETY RULE GROWER TRAINING
When: March 10, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where: Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, 1440 Parkside Ave., Ewing Township, NJ 08638
Pre-Registration Required Deadline to register online is Monday March 3
This training fulfills the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that at least one person from each farm needs to receive a standardized curriculum recognized by the FDA.
Topics Include:
- Introduction to Produce Safety
- Worker Health, Hygiene & Training
- Soil Amendments
- Wildlife, Domesticated Animals & Land Use
- Agricultural Water – Production Water
- Agricultural Water – Postharvest Water
- Postharvest Handling & Sanitation
- How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan
Each attendee will receive a grower manual and be eligible for a certificate from the Association of Food & Drug Officials of the United States (AFDO). Note: Each participant must stay the entire training to be eligible for the certificate of training.
The cost is $100/per person (Lunch included)
For more information, email Jennifer at jmatthews@njaes.rutgers.edu
Register at: https://onfarmfoodsafety.rutgers.edu/
This training is partly funded through grants from the United States Food & Drug Administration.
Note: Financial Assistance for Food Safety Certification and Training is available from the USDA Farm Service Agency. This is the chance for eligible fresh fruit and vegetable growers to recover some of their expenses for implementing food safety practices on the farm. For more information on this program please go to: Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops for Program Years 2024 and 2025
Advanced Audit Training For Growers
Monday, March 3
9am – 12pm EDT
Cost: $10.00 per person
Location: Online, Zoom
You will receive the Zoom link by email approximately 1 week before class and a reminder email the morning of class
Registration Deadline & Refunds:
Deadline to register is Friday February 28, 2025
Refunds up to 7 days before event, online service fee is nonrefundable.
This online program offers growers a deeper dive into audit standards and on farm food safety issues they face on their farms. Compliance hot topics and recurring issues will be discussed as well as a timely update on traceability. This program is for growers who have already taken the Introduction to Audits Class, either online or in person.
Topics Covered Include:
- Hot Topics in Food Safety
- Cleaning and Sanitizing
- Hazards v. Risks
Any questions email Jennifer Matthews at jmatthews@njaes.rutgers.edu, 609-675-4221
A minimum of 10 people required to hold the class.
Growers who complete this training will receive a certificate.
To register go to https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9KygQyXTbRlVOLk
