Fresh Produce Safety

FSMA Produce Safety Rule

Federal food safety laws

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USDA-GAPS

Information and templates

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Water testing

For Kansas produce growers

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Resources

General guidance

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Kansas Specialty Crop Association

The mission of the Kansas Specialty Crop Growers Association (KSCGA) will be to advance Kansas specialty crop production and participation. KSCGA will focus on creating a network of growers equipped with the resources, education, and mentoring necessary to increase production and profitability. KSCGA will have a members-only Facebook page! Growers can network and share with others across the state. This page will also allow state extension staff to answer our questions for all members to see. Membership benefits include:

Unified Voice: A unified voice and increased resources
Member Directory: Public membership list to facilitate networking with other growers, wholesale buyers, or consumers
Education: Commercial, producer-focused learning events
Technical Assistance: Central directory of current available resources
Members-Only Facebook: Connecting growers throughout the state

Please visit www.kscga.org for more information or to become a member!

Produce Safety Rule Subpart E Final Rule

The FDA has released the final rule on pre-harvest agricultural water. This rule replaces water testing and the microbial water quality profile with the creation of Pre-harvest Agricultural Water Assessment.

The assessment takes into consideration the agricultural water system as whole, agricultural water practices, crop characteristics, environmental conditions, and other relevant factors (testing).

Factors for Agricultural Water Assessment to Consider - Food and Drug Administration
Corrective and Mitigation Measures for Pre-harvest Agricultural Water for Non-Sprout Covered Produce - Food and Drug Administration
Agricultural Water Assessment Builder - Food and Drug Administration

Frequently Asked Questions

Produce Safety Rule

What is the Produce Safety Rule (PSR)?
The Produce Safety Rule is a federal regulation consisting of science-based minimum standards for growing, harvesting, packing, and holding fresh produce.
Am I covered by the Produce Safety Rule (PSR)?
This flowchart from FDA goes through exemptions and exclusions for the Produce Safety Rule.
What class do I need to take for PSR?
If you are covered by the Produce Safety Rule, you should sign up for a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training course. Kansas State University offers these classes throughout the year, check out our events or email us at producesafety@ksu.edu for questions.
What records are required for a PSR inspection?
A factsheet of required records and templates is available from the Produce Safety Alliance.
Who conducts inspections in KS and MO?
The Kansas Department of Agriculture and Missouri Department of Agriculture conduct inspections of farms covered by the Produce Safety Rule in their respective states. Please see their hyperlinked webpages for more information.
Who do I contact to get more info on the PSR?
Reach our team at producesafety@ksu.edu.

USDA-GAPS

Water Testing for Produce Sellers

Who to contact

Tomatoes Photo courtesy K-State Research and Extension

Events for You!

Choose the event below for more information and registration.

FSMA Produce Safety Grower Training

If you are interested in attending a PSA Grower Training course, please fill out the form at the following link to indicate interest: https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Zavyy2KHgcM3LE

Introduction to EPA WPS

None currently scheduled

GAPs Food Safety Plan

None currently scheduled

Kansas growers, for information on scholarships to attend GAPs, FSMA, to produce safety training events, please contact:

Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops
Kerri Ebert
913-856-2335, ext. 102
kebert@ksu.edu

Our thanks to the Kansas Department of Agriculture, as well as USDA NIFA (Award 2016-70020-25800), and the K-State Center for Engagement and Community Development Incentive Grant for their support of this produce safety work.

Funding for this website and the listed workshops are made possible in part by grant KS5895 from the FDA. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the FDA.