Produce Safety

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety rule establishes, for the first time, science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. This rule was first proposed in January 2013 and was made publicly available on November 13, 2015.

This training was developed by the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA), which is a collaboration between Cornell University, FDA, and USDA to prepare fresh produce growers to meet the regulatory requirements included in the United States Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.

This course was developed to address the increase in recalls involving fresh produce by providing the latest educational materials to assist farmers and growers with producing safer produce.

The rule establishes requirements for fresh produce growers and farmers to produce safe products. Individuals and growers with responsibilities in food safety plan development and monitoring of produce as well as any other individuals who play a part in keeping produce safe.. Others who may benefit include: produce buyers, resellers, shippers, and water sample testing facilities.

Attendees will learn the current FDA requirements for growing and harvesting produce safely.  This course takes a preventive and proactive approach to the numerous tasks that farmers/growers perform on any given day.  We will discuss how to risk assess different parts of field operations and how to develop safer ways to grow and harvest produce.  From verifying the safety of irrigation water by performing standardized testing, to thinking about the proper use of fertilizer (particularly the use of raw manure) and eventually focusing on how to educate and train employees on good agricultural practices that will keep produce safe and ultimately reduce the likelihood of recall.

The specific topics covered in this training include the following:

Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with other class participants and discuss industry best practices that are currently being implemented to safely grow and harvest produce.

Classes are taught by qualified lead instructors who have been trained and certified by the Produce Safety Alliance.  Classes are offered publicly as well as onsite at your location.

View our list of upcoming Produce Safety classes below or contact us today to request private training at your facility.