Postharvest Water Rule Update 

The FDA announced in March 2017 the intent to review Subpart E of the Produce Safety Rule (PSR) to consider how the requirements for agricultural water might be simplified. The proposal published in December 2021 does not include changes to the harvest and post-harvest requirements for agricultural water. In July 2022, the FDA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to extend the compliance dates for the pre-harvest agricultural water requirements for non-sprout covered produce.  

Learn More

Helpful Resources

• Food Safety Resource Clearinghouse-Curated source of PSR and FSPCA resources
• Looking for an upcoming Training? Check out this search tool from the PSA
• Looking for information on what TAN Questions have previously been asked and answered?
• Take this survey to see if your farm is covered by the Produce Safety Rule
• FSMA Technical Assistance Network
  
  • Produce Safety TAN

Updates

• 2019
  • COVID-19 Food Safety Resources
  • Ask IFAS: COVID-19 (NOVEL CORONAVIRUS)
  • COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
  • Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • Employee Health and Food Safety Checklist for Human and Animal Food Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Information for NIFA Partners, Researchers, Stakeholders, Applicants, and Grantees
  • COVID-19 and Food Safety: Guidance for Food Businesses: interim guidance
• 2018
  • FDA Produce Inspections for Regulators Virtual Produce Tour June, 2018
  • Advice for Growers Implementing the Produce Safety Rule
    Please contact Michelle Danyluk or Travis Chapin with any questions.
  • FDA has developed a 61 page Q and A Guidance on when operations are required to register with FDA
  • New Factsheet on Biological Soil Admendments of Animal Origin: Produce Safety Rule
  • New Factsheet on Biological Soil Amendments of Animal Origin: BSAAO Risk Assessment 
  • Commisioner Gottlieb reachout to State Agriculture commissioners, secretaries, and directors to update them on PSR implementation 
  • Before Implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act's Produce Rule: A Survey of U.S. Produce Growers August, 2018
  • FDA expands its support for states to advance implementation of produce safety activities July 12, 2018
  • Draft Guidance for Industry: Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration June, 2018
  • Guidance for Industry: Registration of Food Facilities: What You Need to Know About the FDA Regulation; Small Entity Compliance Guide
  • Firm/Supplier Evaluation Resource May, 2018
    FDA has released this tool to support compliance with the FSVP and PC Supply chain Programs. If you teach the PCQI course or FSVP, it may be helpful for your participants.
• 2017
  • Who is the FSPCA? September 27, 2017 
  • FDA Releases New Online Training for Sanitary Transportation Rule September 20, 2017
  • FDA Considering Simplifying Agricultural Water Standards March 20, 2017
  • FDA provides $21.8 million to states for FSMA produce safety rule implementation September 9, 2016
  • FDA Issues Draft Guidances under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act for Animal Foods and the Classification of Activities for Farms and Facilities August 24, 2016
  • FDA Extends Certain FSMA Compliance Dates; Issues Draft Guidance August 23, 2016
  • FDA Announces Grant Award for Tribes and Local Food Producers to Enhance Food Safety and Compliance Under FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) August 23, 2016
  • UF receives $1.2 million NIFA grant to spread the word on new national food safety standards GAINESVILLE, FL, October 27, 2015
  • USDA Grants Establish Regional Centers for Food Safety Training, Outreach and Technical Assistance WASHINGTON, October 14, 2015
  • USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture Awards $4.7 Million for Food Safety Outreach, Education WASHINGTON, October 19, 2016
  • FDA Announces Draft Guidance to Help Sprout Operations Comply with Produce Safety Rule January 19, 2017

Upcoming Training & Events

2025 Southern Center Annual Meeting

Open registration: https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eEh4vf8xtQx0ifY

More details will be shared soon! 

https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eEh4vf8xtQx0ifY

SRIPS

SRIPS 2025:

Plans for SRIPS 2025 are in motion! The program committee is actively working on the program offer!

If interested in participating, please email Peggy Geren/ pgeren@ufl.edu. More details and registration coming soon!

SRIPS 2024:

2024 Conference was held in Greenville, SC and gathered a number of organizations, researchers, Extension educators, growers, and regulatory bodies from the Southern region, and a wide variety of topics and the latest approaches relevant to FSMA and produce safety were discussed on.

For more information, event program and presentations, go here: Resources

We are offering In- Person- training courses again, starting in January 2023. Some other training programs have been moved to virtual platforms. 

• HACCP for Florida Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Packinghouse- next -REMOTE- training sold out! Nov 4-7, 2024.
• PSA Advanced Training - No schedule at the moment.
• Food Safety Supervisor Training - Jan. 16th, 2025 - Palm Beach Extension Office/ In-person / Registration Link:  https://fsst103024.eventbrite.com/
• Cleaning & Sanitation Workshop - Dec. 4th, 2024 - Lake Alfred / Registration link: https://cands120424.eventbrite.com/
• PSA Grower Training - For complete list of trainings in FL, go here: Training and Events