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Welcome to the Southern Center for FSMA Training

The overall goal of the Southern Center is to build a collaborative infrastructure in the Southern US to support Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliant training, education, extension, outreach, and technical assistance as it relates to the produce industry.

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.

Helpful Resources

Upcoming Training & Events

Southern Center Meeting:

Semi-annual meeting, IAFP 2023, Toronto Canada- Meeting minutes: SC Semi Annual Meeting Minutes IAFP 2023
Annual Meeting/ SRFVC Savannah, GA- SAVE THE DATE: January 11, 2024 - TBD

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

Recent Updates

2019

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- Draft Guidance for Industry: Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration June, 2018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