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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.

Latest News

Coronavirus Resources

Southern Center members have been hard at work collaborating with others in creating and reviewing coronavirus factsheets. Please refer to the below links to view factsheets for the food industry and consumers.

NCSU has created a number of resources related to coronavirus, including infosheets for retail food environments and farms. A number of resources are available in Spanish and English. Also included are images that are open for sharing on social media platforms. Resources are housed here.

UF has a variety of coronavirus infosheets located here.

University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service has a wide range of agriculture coronavirus resources located here.

The Food Safety Resource Clearinghouse is an open source for a variety of resources; coronavirus resources have also been uploaded to the website.

FDA Information

Routine inspections are suspended for the time being. Outbreak inspections and for-cause inspections continue to take place.

To view the FDA's general Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions please click here. To view the FDA's Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) page please click here.

FDA and OSHA-Employee Health and Food Safety Checklist for Human and Animal Food Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

USDA Information

USDA-NIFA has populated a coronavirus resource page for NIFA Partners, Researchers, Stakeholders, Applicants and Grantees.

Interim Guidance from WHO and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

COVID-19 and Food Safety: Guidance for Food Businesses: interim guidance

Upcoming Training Events

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

Helpful Resources

Recent Updates

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