By Heather Cooper •
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds specialty crop producers that the applicationperiod for the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program for program year 2025opened Jan. 1, 2025, and runs through Jan. 31, 2026. The program has been expanded to includemedium-sized businesses in addition to small businesses. Eligible specialty crop growers can applyfor […]
By Heather Cooper •
There are two parts to the water rule (pre-harvest and harvest/post-harvest), and they are handleddifferently which I will review. Agricultural water must be safe and adequate sanitary quality for itsi n tended use. Pre-Harvest WaterThe pre-harvest water (irrigation, spray water, frost protection, fertigation, dust abatement, etc.)requirements for the FSMA/PSR became effective on July 5, 2024, […]
By Heather Cooper •
Wednesday, January 8, 2025, 12 pm – 1 pm EST During this one-hour lunchtime webinar, learn the ins and outs of the Food Safety Modernization Act:Produce Safety Rule (FSMA: PSR), Pre-Harvest Water changes. The final rule establishes requirementsfor systems-based pre-harvest agricultural water assessments for hazard identification and riskmanagement decision-making. Covered farms – those that are […]
By Heather Cooper •
This is the chance for eligible fresh fruit and vegetable growers to recover some of their expenses forimplementing food safety practices on their farms. For 2024: For 2025: Eligible specialty crop operations can apply for Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) byworking directly with the Farm Service Agency offices at your local FSA office […]
By Heather Cooper •
This is the time of the year to update your food safety trainings. There are severaltrainings planned through February that are in person or remote. DecemberThe registration deadline is fast approaching for our December 5 and 6, 2024Remote Food Safety Modernization Act: Produce Safety Rule Training. This trainingfulfills the requirements of the Food and Drug […]
By Heather Cooper •
Have you gone through the Produce Safety Alliance training for the Produce Safety Rule? If so,now is your chance to find out if your farm is ready for an inspection. The New Jersey Departmentof Agriculture (NJDA) and the Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety Team are collaborating to performassessments on any farm who has gone through the […]
By Heather Cooper •
Growers that have been testing their wells for years have been asking us if that historical datawould meet the four-sample requirement for FSMA for the first year and the answer we got from theFDA is NO. What that means for you:For harvest and post-harvest water, you are required to test each well for non-detectable generic […]
By Heather Cooper •
Does your farm fall under the FSMA: PSR? Find out at the link below:https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4IagP1mbPyrp42N. The requirements for water management only apply to operations that are not exempt or qualified exempt. Check out the link above to determine whether you fall under an exemption category. Note: If you are third party audited (GAP/GHP, Harmonized, Global GA, […]
Wesley Kline
By Heather Cooper •
On November 30 the Food and Drug Administration rolled out new tools and FAQs that will continue toinform stakeholders about the Food Traceability Rule and help covered entities come into compliance.The rule is a key component of Section 204(d) of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Thisfinal rule was issued in November 2022 and […]
Wes Kline, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
By Karleen Wilford •
The Produce Safety Alliance just released their new version of a training video for fi eld workers. This canbe used as part of your food safety training upon hiring. It is available in English and Spanish on YouTube. English: https://youtu.be/ndwHxQAJ6_cSpanish: https://youtu.be/Y44_0VyWS3o
By Salvatore Mangiafico •
The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Team and personnel from the Northeast Center to Advance Food Safety (NECAFS) at the University of Vermont would like to understand the costs and the barriers of beginning or expanding food safety practices on farms and in packinghouses to make educational materials more relevant to fruit and vegetable growers and […]
Wesley Kline, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
By Salvatore Mangiafico •
USDA has just announced that proposed audit fees for the Harmonized and GAP/GHP audits willincrease to $155 per hour. The average Harmonized Audit runs anywhere from 12 to 15 hours, GAP/GHP audits average 5 to 10 hours. The current fee is $132 per hour. For anyone who needs an audit tryto schedule before October 1, […]