Fresh Produce Safety
Federal food safety laws
Information and templates
For Kansas produce growers
General guidance
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
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.
How do I sign up for a USDA-GAPS audit?
Information can be found on the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service website for How to Apply for Auditing Services.
What is the difference between a Produce Safety Rule inspection and an audit?
This webpage covers the differences with a chart and video. Reach out to producesafety@ksu.edu for further questions.
I am interested in water testing and I sell fresh produce in KS or MO
Please see the water testing subpage.
- Produce safety questions in Kansas, please contact producesafety@ksu.edu.
- Produce safety questions in Missouri, please contact Dr. Juan Cabrera-Garcia jcabrera-garcia@missouri.edu.
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.
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