Regulations

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law in 2011, and it’s considered to be the most sweeping reform of US food safety laws. The focus of the act is on more effective prevention of food safety issues in the US food supply chain. Find the resources you need to help you meet those regulations and get access to produce grower certification and training.

FSMA Produce Safety Rule

The Food Safety Modernization Act includes science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, and sprouts. Penn State Extension has a range of resources available to help producers meet those standards. The resources include videos and training opportunities addressing topics such as FSMA requirements, exemptions, and deadlines for the Produce Safety Rule.

Produce such as fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, and sprouts is covered by the Produce Safety Rule; however, there are exemptions to the rule, based on average annual food sales and marketing channels. Use the coverage and exemption tool to find out where you stand.

Food producers are also required to develop and implement a risk-based food safety plan, under the Preventive Controls for Human Foods Regulation. The plan must include the identification of hazards and controls that can be implemented to prevent, reduce, or eliminate the hazards completely. A recall plan should also form part of the Food Safety Plan.

Produce Grower Training and Certification

Training and certification play a vital role in the agricultural industry. Within the Produce Safety Rule, it has been established that at least one supervisor or responsible party from the farm has to successfully complete food safety training, recognized as equivalent or better than training received under the standardized curriculum the Food and Drug Administration designates as adequate.

Undertaking Penn State Extension’s PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy that requirement. The course is split into seven modules, covering topics such as worker health, hygiene and training, soil amendments, wildlife, domesticated animals, land use, and post-harvest handling and sanitation. Details on how to develop a farm food safety plan are also included. Close reference is made throughout the course to key parts of the FSMA Produce Safety Rules requirements. Participants will be eligible to receive a certification from the Association of Food and Drug Officials, verifying completion of the course.

If you’d prefer, the course is also available in a series of training slides developed by the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA). This method of delivery is particularly useful for growers who would prefer not to use computer training, or where electrical connections are unavailable. To receive the course certificate, a copy of the PSA Grower Manual is still required.