Extension Answers: Produce grower training on new federal rule

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to write new regulations that establish standards for produce safety (Produce Rule). In its proposed Produce Rule, the FDA detailed new standards for the growing, harvesting, packing and holding of produce for human consumption.

According to the FDA FSMA website, "about 48 million people (1 in 6 Americans) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die each year from food-borne diseases, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. FDA has compiled from CDC data information regarding produce associated outbreaks that occurred between 1996 and 2010 where contamination is likely to have happened early in the production chain, during growing, harvesting, manufacturing, processing, packing, holding or transportation. This FDA data set demonstrates that from 1996 to 2010, approximately 131 produce-related reported outbreaks occurred, resulting in 14,350 outbreak-related illnesses, 1,382 hospitalizations and 34 deaths. These outbreaks were associated with approximately 20 different fresh produce commodities. This is a significant public health burden that is largely preventable."

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), signed into law by President Obama on Jan. 4, 2011, enables the FDA to better protect public health by strengthening the food safety system. It enables FDA to focus more on preventing food safety problems rather than relying primarily on reacting to problems after they occur.

As a key element of this preventive approach, the FDA was mandated under FSMA to establish science-based, minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing and holding of produce on farms to minimize contamination that could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

VCE will host a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule on March 29 in Hillsville. Farms subject to the FSMA Produce Safety Rule are required by law to have "at least one supervisor or responsible party from your farm successfully complete a food-safety training at least equivalent to that received under the standard curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration." This course will meet that requirement.

The curriculum is similar to a GAP (Good Ag Practices) course with key elements of the safety rule included. The training will be held at the Carroll County Government Center Board Room, 605 Pine Street, Hillsville, and will last from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

Thanks to a Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) grant, the cost to Virginia growers is $30 per person. The cost to all others and additional attendees is $125 for the primary attendee and $50 for each additional attendee from the same operation. Cash or check is accepted.

To determine if you are subject to the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, for registration or for any other questions, please contact Ashley Edwards at the Carroll County Extension Office, 276-730-3110 or aledwards@vt.edu. Pre-registration is required. No walk-ins will be accepted.

Upcoming Events

March 28--VQA Calf Sale, Tri-State Livestock Market, Abingdon, 6 p.m. Viewers and sellers welcome.

March 29--Produce Grower Food Safety Training, Hillsville. Contact Ashley Edwards at 276-730-3110.

March 29--Smyth Washington Cattleman's Meeting, Fairgrounds, Abingdon, 6:30 p.m.

April 1-- Happy Easter!

April 2-- VQA Steer Take Up, Tri State Market, 7 a.m. until noon.

April 4-- VQA Heifer Take Up, Tri State Market, 7 a.m. until noon.

April 23--Deadline for Early Bird 4-H Youth Camp Registration at Office, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., $180.

April 24--Camp Sign Up, Chilhowie Elementary School, 5:30-7 p.m., $200

May 5--PD 3 Area 4-H Contest, Chilhowie High School.

May 9--Bristol Steer and Heifer Show, Washington County Fairgrounds, Abingdon.

May 12--PD 3, Area 4-H Share-The-Fun Competitions.

May 16--VESA Conference, VSU Campus, Petersburg.

May 17-18--South Carolina Ag Agents Annual Meeting, Newberry, S.C.

June 18-22--Smyth County 4-H Camp, Abingdon.

June 22-26--North Carolina Ag Agents Annual Meeting, Atlantic Beach, N.C.

July 11-13--Texas State Ag Agents Annual Meeting, Denison, Texas.

July 29-Aug. 2--NACAA AM/PIC, Chattanooga, Tenn.