Growers who sell 100% of their product through direct market methods will likely never have to deal with a third party audit, but food safety is a critical component of producing a quality product.  Food safety should be a part of every farms risk management plan.  If you have not attended training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and do not yet have a farm food safety plan in place the process can seem overwhelming.  Look for future articles on food safety here in the PPA and information on GAPs trainings this fall.

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Food Safety Modernization Act – here is some information on new FDA water rules for water used for growing and packing produce and values for pathogens in water and the questions and how FDA answers them including:

• What changes are required for water
• What uses are not exempt anymore
• Which water sources have to be tested
• How often is water testing required

This is a recorded session in MP3 format produced by the Produce Alliance.

The second FDA Proposed Produce Food Safety Rule Q & A conference call, coordinated by the Produce Safety Alliance, was held yesterday.  This conference call focused on agricultural water use in the proposed rule.  To comment on these proposed rules go to Docket Folder Summary: Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption. Comments are due by May 16, 2013

Here are the highlights of yesterday’s conference call: [Read more…]

The first FDA Proposed Produce Food Safety Rule Q & A conference call, coordinated by the Produce Safety Alliance, was held yesterday.  This conference call focused on exemptions to the proposed rule.  Here are the highlights of yesterday’s conference call:

1. How are average annual sales for a farm calculated?
2. Farm Facility (Packinghouse) Registration, are farms exempt?
3. At what point does the FDA Preventative Controls rule apply to a farm?
4. Are there any exemptions to the labeling of product to be sold? [Read more…]

The Produce Safety Alliance, in collaboration with the FDA, will be hosting a series of Q & A teleconferences to discuss specific sections of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Proposed Produce Safety Rule. See the attachment for teleconference dates and times on the following topics:

• Understanding Exemptions
• Agricultural Water
• Soil Amendments
• Domestic and Wild Animals
• Growing, Harvesting, Packing & Holding Activities
• Equipment, Tools, Buildings, & Sanitation
• Health, Hygiene, and Worker Training
• Recordkeeping, Compliance, & Enforcement

Remember comments or questions regarding issues the FDA should clarify or address in the final rule or in companion guidance document must be submitted before May 16, 2013. See attachment for submission delivery options.

In this update we summarize of some of the material most recently presented by the Food and Drug Administration on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
FSMA Proposed – Sec. 105 Rule

Also find a compliance decision tree for US growers of fruits, vegetables, nuts, mushrooms, herbs, or sprouts. This rule will impact most growers in New Jersey. If you have questions do not hesitate to contact Meredith Melendez or myself.