Flood waters can carry microbial and chemical contaminants that can be harmful to humans.  Food crops should be assessed to determine if they have been affected by flooding surface water sources including rivers, lakes, or streams.  These waters are the highest risk for contaminants.  The biggest question to ask is has the edible portion of the crop been exposed to these waters?  There is no way to ensure that food crops that have come in contact with contaminated flood waters are safe to eat.  Food crops that have been exposed to flood waters should be destroyed so they do not enter market channels.  For more information and guidance on how to handle crops and fields that have been flooded visit the Produce Safety Alliance Food Safety for Flooded Farms resource.

The Produce Safety Rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act is now fully implemented.  This means that one person from an operation who sells over $25,000 in fresh produce needs to attend a training course.  There are some exemptions and modifications to the rule, but the best way to find out is to attend the course.  We will have the next online training September 15 and 16 if 10 people register by September 1.  The preregistration is required since training material must be sent to each participant prior to the training.  Visit our website to register.

Produce Safety Training:

The Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) that requires ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under the standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration’.  This is the only training recognized by the FDA at this time!

Fruit and vegetables growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management of natural resources and food safety should also attend this training.

What to Expect at the PSA Grower Training Course?

This is approximately a seven-hour course to cover these seven modules:

• Introduction to Produce Safety
• Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training
• Soil Amendments
• Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use
• Agricultural Water (Part I: Production Water; Part II: Postharvest Water)
• Postharvest Handling and Sanitation
• How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan

In addition to learning about produce safety best practices, parts of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements are outlined within each module and are included in the grower manual provided.  There is time for questions and discussion, so participants are encouraged to share their experiences and produce safety questions.

Benefits of Attending the Course

The course provides a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan.  Individuals who participate in this course are expected to gain a basic understanding of:

• Microorganisms relevant to produce safety and where they may be found on the farm
• How to identify microbial risks, practices that reduce risks, and how to begin implementing produce safety practices on the farm
• Parts of a farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
• Requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them.

After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course.  To receive an AFDO certificate, a participant must be present for the entire training and submit the appropriate paperwork to the trainers at the end of the course.

Inspections:

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) began inspections for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for operations over $500,000.  The other size operations will also be delayed by one year i.e. 2020 for small operations and 2021 for very small operations.  The first inspections will be educational with the NJDA evaluating the farming operation.  This will give the grower an opportunity to see what the NJDA considers area where improvement may be needed.  After the inspection NJDA may do another inspection with possible enforcement in the future.