2016 FDA FSMA-compliant grower produce safety trainings scheduled
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EmailProduce Safety Alliance grower training course sessions satisfying the Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act certification requirement will be offered at three Michigan locations in November 2016.
Day-long training courses addressing sound food safety and environmental practices satisfying the Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) certification requirement will be offered 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. November 2 in Hart, November 9 in Bay City, and November 10 in Benton Harbor.
The seven-part course, developed by the Produce Safety Alliance, provides a foundation for growers to identify and manage potential risks, develop a food safety plan, and to comply with the FSMA Produce Safety Rule. Upon completion, attendees are eligible for a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO). Under the rule, at least one responsible person from produce farms must take such a course.
FSMA compliance deadlines are as follows based on three-year average gross sales per farm:
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All other businesses (>$500K) |
January 26,2018 |
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Small businesses (>$250K-500K) |
January 26, 2019 |
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Very small businesses (>$25K-250K) |
January 26, 2020 |
The course registration fee is $100 per person, which includes materials, certification process and lunch. Pre-registration is required by October 28. Registration and program details are available online.
Producers who have questions about whether they are exempt or covered by FSMA requirements may consult the Produce Safety Alliance FSMA information page or the FDA key FSMA requirements page. An operation that produces a crop that is rarely consumed raw, is processed with a kill step, and/or has sales less than $25,000 are among those that may be exempt.
To find out if you are getting the right training to be Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliant, read the MSU Extension article Having the right grower training for FSMA compliance.
Grower training is sponsored by Michigan State University Extension, Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, Michigan Farm Bureau and the Produce Safety Alliance.
