Produce Safety

Produce Safety

The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) works with fruit and vegetable farmers to make sure they meet Federal safety requirements.  This program helps consumers know that they are getting safe, quality produce.

 

Highlights

  • About this Program

    The FDA’s Produce Safety rule, which became law in 2016 to implement the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act, established safety standards for fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. The Georgia Produce Safety team works closely with state growers so they can better understand the rules they’re following. The program regulates raw produce and focuses on those who work directly with fruits and vegetables. The rule covers worker health and hygiene, biological soil amendments, water regulations, wild and domestic animals, and cleaning buildings and equipment.

    See a list of crops covered by the rule. 

    Producers selling over $25,000 per year who grow, harvest, pack, or hold fresh produce for consumption will usually be covered by the Produce Safety Rule. Find out if your farm must comply: https://www.fda.gov/media/94332/download.

  • Georgia Registration Live Portal

    Click Here to access the Georgia Registration Live Portal.

    Registration information

    All farms within Georgia that grow, harvest, pack or hold produce intended for human consumption and for sale will need to register their business with the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Produce Safety Program.

    This registration process is intended to streamline verification of who is and who is not covered under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA): Produce Safety Rule (21 CFR 112). This process allows us to provide valuable education, technical assistance, and compliance information to regulated farms and businesses, exclude farms that are not required to comply with the rule, and prioritize inspections. Farms and businesses will need to register one time initially and then verify their information at least annually.

    Note: Please complete the farm/business registration process BEFORE applying for an exemption.

    Exemption information

    The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Produce Safety Program is also issuing exemption certifications based on exemption eligibility as outlined in the Produce Safety Rule. Since farm information changes from year to year, farms must update their information and reapply for an exemption on an annual basis (the exemption renewal window will open at least 30 days before the one-year expiration date). Exemption certificates will expire exactly one year following the issue date of the exemption. We have provided a link to an exemption analysis tool within the portal, which will assist you in determining your exemption eligibility and requirements.

  • Next Steps

    If you’re a Georgia farmer who grows produce for public sale and consumption, we encourage you to fill out the Farm Data Collection form even if you don’t have to comply with the Produce Safety Rule.

    We also encourage you to attend Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training.

    Any producer/farm required to comply with the Produce Safety Rule (PSR) needs to send at least one supervisor/manager to a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training session, offered throughout Georgia at a reasonable cost. Remote training is also offered. See list of remote classes.

  • Education Opportunities

    If your farm or association is interested in learning more about the Produce Safety Rule and how the Georgia Department of Agriculture may work with farmers, please contact the Georgia Produce Safety Education and Outreach Coordinator, Caroline Haney at (caroline.haney@agr.georgia.gov).

    The Georgia Produce Safety Program has a number of training and outreach materials available free of charge to all interested farmers or consumers. Upcoming Trainings:

     

    PSA Grower Training, Blue Ridge

    Location: Fannin County Family Connection in Blue Ridge, GA

    Day and Time: April 29th from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

    Cost: $25

     

    https://psa052325ga.eventbrite.com

    Location: Gadsen County Extension office

    Day and Time: May 23rd from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

    Cost: $40

     

    Produce Safety Resources

    Fruit and Vegetable Food Safety Training Video for Field Employees

  • Free Readiness Review

    Sign-Up for a Free On-Farm Readiness Review

     

     

    Sign-up to receive the latest information

    The best way to protect Georgia's produce is by working together. Please assist us by identifying your farm and providing your contact information in order to receive important tips and updates regarding the implementation of the Produce Safety Rule. Contact Caroline Haney at caroline.haney@agr.georgia.gov to sign up for an On Farm Readiness Review or with any questions.

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Funding for this program, statement, publication, press release, etc. was made possible, in part, by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in written materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does any mention of tradenames, commercial practices, or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.