Penn State GAPs

On-Farm Food Safety from Penn State University
Last updated July 3, 2008
Contact Luke LaBorde lfl5@psu.edu

Four steps to safer farm practices

1) Learn about on-farm food safety

Download these documents and Penn State presentations for background and context on farm food safety issues and the latest recommendations.

On-Farm Food Safety – An Emerging Issue for Pennsylvania Growers
Each year, we hear more about people becoming sick after eating raw fruits and vegetables contaminated with harmful microorganisms. Most of the outbreaks have been traced to crops grown in other parts of the U.S. or in other countries. But microbial contamination of fresh produce can happen anywhere. As consumer demand continues to shift away from heat processed fruits and vegetables and toward fresh, ready-to-eat produce, Pennsylvania growers need to join in the fight to keep our food supply safe [MORE].

Guidance for Industry: Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.1998. FDA guidelines for commercial produce growers

Fresh Produce Food Safety & Good Agricultural Practices
Penn State Presentation. Extension Spring In-Service. March 2008.

Food Safety is a Retail Issue. "It sure would help if some retailers thought safety
was worth paying up for". Produce Business. October 2006.

2) Compare your farm practices with nationwide food safety standards

Do you need to make any changes in how you run things? Complete this self inspection form based on the USDA farm food safety verification program.

USDA Audit Matrix Self-Audit. Penn State University Food Science Department of Food Science July 2007.

3) Write a farm food safety plan

Use this general guidance document from Penn State University. Standards and interpretations are based on the USDA Audit Matrix and adapted from the “Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices Audit Verification Program - Policy and Instructions Handbook”. July 2008.

Guidelines for Implementing a Good Agricultural Practices Program. A discussion and interpretation of USDA audit requirements. Penn State University. July 2008.

Good Agricultural Practices Food Safety Plan. Use this template to start writing your own food safety plan. July 2008.

4) Find a third party auditor

Contact the USDA AMS / PA Dept. of Agriculture Fresh Produce Audit Verification Program

To request a USDA/PDA audit, download the Request for GAPS Audit form from the PDA web site and send to:

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services Eggs Fruits and Vegetables Division
2301 North Cameron Street Room 112
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408

or Call Donald Wellbrock at (717) 787-5107 Ext 220

More information: USDA Fresh Produce Audit Verification Program
Press Release: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture program reimburses growers for initial USDA audit

Additional information resources

Training Resources

Food Safety Begins on the Farm. Good Agricultural Practices Network for Training and Education. Cornell University.
- State contacts
- Educational materials
Fresh Produce Southeast Training Program Fact sheets and presentations for primarily southeast U.S. crops
Good Agricultural Practices Training Focuses on GAPs training for countries that export to the U.S.

General Guidance for Growers

Commodity Specific Guidance

Penn State Mushroom Food Safety Program. Commodity specific guidelines and training materials for mushroom growers.
Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Production and Harvest of Lettuce and Leafy Greens. IFPA, PMA, UFFVA, WGA. October 16 2007
Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Melon Supply Chain. PMA, UFFVA. November 7, 2005..
Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Fresh Tomato Supply Chain. North American Tomato Trade Work Group. May 2006
Guidelines for Developing a Mushroom Good Agricultural Practices Program - Food Safety Standards for Growing Fresh Mushrooms. Penn State University, American Mushroom Institute

Government Programs and Information

Improving the Safety and Quality of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: A Training Manual for Trainers. Univ.of Maryland Joint Institute for Food Safety & Nutrition
Guide to Produce Farm Investigations - FDA .

Water

Current Drinking Water Standards - EPA Office of Water
Coliform Bacteria in Drinking Water PSU School of Forest Resources fact sheet
Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Are they in your drinking water?PA DEP
Microorganisms, Bacteria and Viruses in Water Extoxnet
Sanitary Well Caps - Penn State University Extension
National Resources Conservation Service - Irrigation Page
Bacterial Water Quality Standards for Recreational Waters
A Practical Approach to Calculating Dose Values for Water Disinfection - University of California - Davis
Postharvest Chlorination Basic Properties and Key Points for Effective Disinfection - University of California-Davis
Treating Coliform Bacteria in Drinking Water - Penn State University
Penn State Water Resources Extension Web Site
Penn State Water Testing Program
To submit a drinking water sample to Penn State’s laboratory, obtain a Drinking Water Test Kit from your county cooperative extension office or directly from the laboratory. Send your water sample by overnight mail along with $35.00 payment
National GAPs Program Collaborators’ Meeting "Agricultural Water Safety" Orlando, FL March 21-22, 2007

Manure and/or Biosolids Management

National Resources Conservation Service - Animal Waste Management
EPA Composting. Technical and regulatory information. EPA
Animal Feeding Operations. National Agriculture Compliance Assistance Center. EPA
PA Nutrient Management Regulations Title 25 § 83.201
Pennsylvania Biosolids Program
PA Code Title 25 Chapter 281 Composting Facilities
Composting Operation and Facility Siting and Design Standards. Title 14, Division 7, Chapter 3.1. Article 5. California Integrated Waste Management Board.
The Science of Composting Epstein E. 1996. CRC Press. Google Books preview

Worker Health and Hygiene

Sanitary Facilities

Field Sanitation Regulations 29 CFR - 1928.110 - Occupational Health and Safety Administration, U.S. Dept. of Labor
Seasonal Farm Labor Camp Program
Comparison of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and OSHA field sanitation standards.
PA Dept of Ag Self-Inspection Checklists for Camp Operators (PDF)

Field Packing Facility Sanitation

Cold Storage Sanitation - Trevor Suslow, UC Davis Mushroom Food Safety and Sanitation Workshop, 2001
Guidelines for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes in Small- to Medium-Scale Packing and Fresh-Cut Operations - University of California - Davis

Pesticide safety

Pesticide Control Act of 1973 Pesticide Regulations Title 7, Part V, Chapter 128

Trace-Back

FDA Guide To Traceback Of Fresh Fruits And Vegetables Implicated In Epidemiological Investigations
Farm Investigation Questionnaire - A form developed by FDA for use in the domestic survey follow-ups and outbreak tracebacks.
FDA Recall and Safety Alerts
FDA Guide To Traceback of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Implicated In Epidemiological Investigations

GAPs for Home Gardeners

Backyard Gardens Need Good Food-Safety Practices, Too
Penn State University Friday June 20, 2008
Key Points of Control and Management for Microbial Food Safety: Edible Landscape Plants and Home Garden Produce UC-Davis Department of Vegetable Crops
Keep food safety in mind when planning vegetable garden University of Connecticut Extension. via the Penn State Food Safety Blog

This site was created and is maintained by:
Dr. Luke F. LaBorde
Associate Professor of Food Science
Penn State University
814-863-2298
lfl5@psu.edu


		*Good Agricultural Practices* *On-Farm Food Safety from Penn State University* Last updated July 3, 2008 Contact Luke LaBorde lfl5@psu.edu Four steps to safer farm practices 1) Learn about on-farm food safety Download these documents and Penn State presentations for background and context on farm food safety issues and the latest recommendations. On-Farm Food Safety – An Emerging Issue for Pennsylvania Growers Each year, we hear more about people becoming sick after eating raw fruits and vegetables contaminated with harmful microorganisms. Most of the outbreaks have been traced to crops grown in other parts of the U.S. or in other countries. But microbial contamination of fresh produce can happen anywhere. As consumer demand continues to shift away from heat processed fruits and vegetables and toward fresh, ready-to-eat produce, Pennsylvania growers need to join in the fight to keep our food supply safe [MORE]. Guidance for Industry: Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.1998. FDA guidelines for commercial produce growers Fresh Produce Food Safety & Good Agricultural Practices Penn State Presentation. Extension Spring In-Service. March 2008. Food Safety is a Retail Issue. "It sure would help if some retailers thought safety was worth paying up for". Produce Business. October 2006. 2) Compare your farm practices with nationwide food safety standards Do you need to make any changes in how you run things? Complete this self inspection form based on the USDA farm food safety verification program. USDA Audit Matrix Self-Audit. Penn State University Food Science Department of Food Science July 2007. 3) Write a farm food safety plan Use this general guidance document from Penn State University. Standards and interpretations are based on the USDA Audit Matrix and adapted from the “Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices Audit Verification Program - Policy and Instructions Handbook”. July 2008. Guidelines for Implementing a Good Agricultural Practices Program. A discussion and interpretation of USDA audit requirements. Penn State University. July 2008. Good Agricultural Practices Food Safety Plan. Use this template to start writing your own food safety plan. July 2008. 4) Find a third party auditor Contact the USDA AMS / PA Dept. of Agriculture Fresh Produce Audit Verification Program To request a USDA/PDA audit, download the Request for GAPS Audit form from the PDA web site and send to: PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services Eggs Fruits and Vegetables Division 2301 North Cameron Street Room 112 Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408 or Call Donald Wellbrock at (717) 787-5107 Ext 220 More information: USDA Fresh Produce Audit Verification Program Press Release: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture program reimburses growers for initial USDA audit Additional information resources Training Resources Food Safety Begins on the Farm. Good Agricultural Practices Network for Training and Education. Cornell University. State contacts Educational materials Fresh Produce Southeast Training Program Fact sheets and presentations for primarily southeast U.S. crops Good Agricultural Practices Training Focuses on GAPs training for countries that export to the U.S. General Guidance for Growers Guidance for Industry: Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.1998. FDA Good Agricultural Practices - A Self-Audit for Growers and Handlers. UC-Davis Commodity Specific Guidance Penn State Mushroom Food Safety Program. Commodity specific guidelines and training materials for mushroom growers. Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Production and Harvest of Lettuce and Leafy Greens. IFPA, PMA, UFFVA, WGA. October 16 2007 Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Melon Supply Chain. PMA, UFFVA. November 7, 2005.. Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Fresh Tomato Supply Chain. North American Tomato Trade Work Group. May 2006 Guidelines for Developing a Mushroom Good Agricultural Practices Program - Food Safety Standards for Growing Fresh Mushrooms. Penn State University, American Mushroom Institute Government Programs and Information Improving the Safety and Quality of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: A Training Manual for Trainers. Univ.of Maryland Joint Institute for Food Safety & Nutrition Guide to Produce Farm Investigations - FDA . Water Current Drinking Water Standards - EPA Office of Water Coliform Bacteria in Drinking Water PSU School of Forest Resources fact sheet Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Are they in your drinking water?PA DEP Microorganisms, Bacteria and Viruses in Water Extoxnet Sanitary Well Caps - Penn State University Extension National Resources Conservation Service - Irrigation Page Bacterial Water Quality Standards for Recreational Waters A Practical Approach to Calculating Dose Values for Water Disinfection - University of California - Davis Postharvest Chlorination Basic Properties and Key Points for Effective Disinfection - University of California-Davis Treating Coliform Bacteria in Drinking Water - Penn State University Penn State Water Resources Extension Web Site Penn State Water Testing Program To submit a drinking water sample to Penn State’s laboratory, obtain a Drinking Water Test Kit from your county cooperative extension office or directly from the laboratory. Send your water sample by overnight mail along with $35.00 payment National GAPs Program Collaborators’ Meeting "Agricultural Water Safety" Orlando, FL March 21-22, 2007 Manure and/or Biosolids Management National Resources Conservation Service - Animal Waste Management EPA Composting. Technical and regulatory information. EPA Animal Feeding Operations. National Agriculture Compliance Assistance Center. EPA PA Nutrient Management Regulations Title 25 § 83.201 Pennsylvania Biosolids Program PA Code Title 25 Chapter 281 Composting Facilities Composting Operation and Facility Siting and Design Standards. Title 14, Division 7, Chapter 3.1. Article 5. California Integrated Waste Management Board. The Science of Composting Epstein E. 1996. CRC Press. Google Books preview Worker Health and Hygiene EPA's Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Seasonal Farm Labor Camp Program Sanitary Facilities Field Sanitation Regulations 29 CFR - 1928.110 - Occupational Health and Safety Administration, U.S. Dept. of Labor Seasonal Farm Labor Camp Program Comparison of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and OSHA field sanitation standards. PA Dept of Ag Self-Inspection Checklists for Camp Operators (PDF) Field Packing Facility Sanitation Cold Storage Sanitation - Trevor Suslow, UC Davis Mushroom Food Safety and Sanitation Workshop, 2001 Guidelines for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes in Small- to Medium-Scale Packing and Fresh-Cut Operations - University of California - Davis Pesticide safety Pesticide Control Act of 1973 Pesticide Regulations Title 7, Part V, Chapter 128 Trace-Back FDA Guide To Traceback Of Fresh Fruits And Vegetables Implicated In Epidemiological Investigations Farm Investigation Questionnaire - A form developed by FDA for use in the domestic survey follow-ups and outbreak tracebacks. FDA Recall and Safety Alerts FDA Guide To Traceback of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Implicated In Epidemiological Investigations GAPs for Home Gardeners Backyard Gardens Need Good Food-Safety Practices, Too Penn State University Friday June 20, 2008 Key Points of Control and Management for Microbial Food Safety: Edible Landscape Plants and Home Garden Produce UC-Davis Department of Vegetable Crops Keep food safety in mind when planning vegetable garden University of Connecticut Extension. via the Penn State Food Safety Blog This site was created and is maintained by: Dr. Luke F. LaBorde Associate Professor of Food Science Penn State University 814-863-2298 lfl5@psu.edu