Produce safety consultations now available

The Ohio Department of Agriculture is offering produce growers free, FDA-approved consultations to help farmers comply with the upcoming Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety rule, according to a news release. Farm inspections will begin in the spring of 2019, but prior to inspections, ODA staff is offering these voluntary consultation visits to help growers identify what steps they may need to take to comply with the Produce Safety rule before regulatory inspections begin. Farms can request a farm consultation visit to determine specific requirements to their farm. This service is offered as a one-day course that provides one-on-one training in which trained and certified ODA staff will visit farms and walk growers through what will be expected with new federal regulations on their farm. In addition to the consultation, farms will also receive resource materials that will help aid in compliance. Growers unsure if their farm is subject to the Produce Safety rule, can review FDA’s FSMA regulation document or contact ODA for additional assistance. Produce farms that are exempt from the rule are welcome to schedule consultation visits, as some of the requirements are similar to those required by third-party food safety auditors. FSMA, which was signed into law Jan. 4, 2011, is the most comprehensive reform of the nation’s food safety laws since 1938. The law comprises seven rules taht span the entire food supply chain. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FSMA, THE PRODUCE SAFETY RULE OR TO SCHEDULE YOUR ON-FARM CONSULTATION, VISIT AGRI.OHIO.GOV OR CALL 614-600-4272.