Colorado Produce Safety Rule Newsletter
February 2019
Welcome to the Colorado Produce Safety Newsletter. As part of our continued effort to keep growers up to date on the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, we want to share updates and resources with you to help you better understand the regulations.
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The Food Safety Modernization Act was signed into effect in 2011. The Produce Safety Rule establishes science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption.
You can also use our Exemption Tool to help determine if you are covered under the Rule.
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Let's Dig into the Produce Safety Rule
Monthly PSR Highlight
On-Farm Readiness Reviews
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Put your mind at ease about the Produce Safety Rule and request an OFRR!
The On-Farm Readiness Review (OFRR) is a non-regulatory, confidential farm visit to help assess a farm’s readiness for compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.
It is an excellent opportunity for fruit and vegetable growers to determine how their on-farm food safety practices align with the Produce Safety Rule.
As a grower, it is a chance for you to have a one-on-one discussion and walk-through of your farm food safety practices with Produce Safety Rule experts.
Even if your farm is not covered under the PSR, you can still participate in an OFRR.
Click here for more information on an OFRR.
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Colorado Legislative Update
The Colorado Department of Agriculture introduced a bill that gives CDA the authority to adopt the federal Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule. The bill passed the House and is now on the way to the Senate. Check out this Fact Sheet for more details on HB19-1114 or view the full text of the Bill here.
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What farms need to be compliant with the Rule now?
There are two business sizes that should now be in compliance with the Produce Safety Rule. "Small" farms, those selling $250,000 - $500,000 in produce sales and "All Other" farms, those that sell over $500,000 in produce sales are required to be compliant with the Rule. More information about the Produce Safety Inspections will be forthcoming. For more information from FDA on compliance dates, Click here.
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Do you need help writing a Food Safety Plan?
Join us for a hands-on workshop!
A food safety plan (FSP) is an excellent way to evaluate and mitigate risks on your farm. For some of our growers who are pursing larger markets, some form of Good Agriculture Practice (GAPs) audit is becoming a standard requirement for produce buyers across market channels. Many regional growers have completed a Food Safety Checklist for Farm to School participation so you are already familiar with many of the components.
To support growers, we are offering an opportunity to get a head start writing their plans through a day-long workshop that will include: a grower overview of different GAPs schemes, updates about the current audit and regulatory framework, insight from Colorado Department of Agriculture GAPs and Produce Safety Rule Program staff, and hands-on writing assistance to help you craft a food safety plan for your farm from University Extension personnel. The food safety plan writing component will focus on the most daunting topics of a food safety plan; mitigating and documenting risk associated with wildlife, water quality monitoring and management, cleaning and sanitation, and worker health and hygiene. The format will be very interactive with ample opportunity to discuss challenges and find solutions with experts.
Bring your own computer or utilize one of our laptops to customize provided templates for your operation.
Next Workshop will be in March in Grand Junction.
Look for more details soon.
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CDA and CSU will be hosting webinars to discuss various topics related to the Produce Safety Rule. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and the webinars will be recorded for future use.
Please join us on the following dates:
March 28, 2019 - Produce Safety Rule Guidance
April 25, 2019 - On-Farm Readiness Reviews
May 15, 2019 - Inspections
All webinars will be conveniently over lunch time at 12:00pm, so grab some food and join us!
No registration required, for login information, Click here
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What Other Resources are Available from CDA?
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CDA's Business Development Specialist can offer helpful connections and information to both new and expanding agriculture and food businesses.
Danielle Trotta is new to the Markets Division at the Department of Agriculture. Along with supporting the Colorado Proud program, she is putting on educational workshops, connecting producers and processors, and helping producers and business owners take their products to the next level. She had a workshop at the end of January offering industry expertise to those looking to make the leap into retail and beyond. The next workshop will be for those agricultural and food entrepreneurs that are just getting started. Danielle plans to hold quarterly "Breakfast with the Pros" series, which will allow entrepreneurs to have a discussion with industry leaders. To register and view all current activities please go to coloradoproud.org.
Feel free to reach out to Danielle for your agricultural and food business needs:
Danielle.Trotta@state.co.us or 303-869-9176.
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FDA News Corner
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FDA Investigation Summary: Factors Potentially Contributing to the Contamination of Romaine Lettuce Implicated in the Fall 2018 Multi-State Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7
Keep Reading
FDA Releases Additional Resources Support Compliance with the Produce Safety Rule
Keep Reading
FDA Issues Draft Guidance to Help Produce Farmers and Fresh-Cut Produce Processors meet FSMA Requirements
Keep Reading
If you are interested in commenting on the Guidance document, you can do so electronically or as written comments.
To submit electronic comments visit: https://www.regulations.gov
To submit written comments send to:
Dockets Management Staff (HFA-305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061
Rockville, MD 20852
All comments should be identified with the docket number FDA-2018-D-3631. The deadline to submit comments is April 22, 2019.
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Trainings**:
April 4, 2019 - Colorado Springs, CO
Click here to register.
April 9, 2019 - Greeley, CO
Click here to register.
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**Before the compliance date, every covered farm that does not qualify for an exemption must have a supervisor (such as a farm owner/operator) complete the Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training. The training is a one time requirement for growers, you do not need attend multiple years.
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Additional Opportunities
Click here to see more events.
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Toolbox
Below are resources to help your farm with the Produce Safety Rule.
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Have a question, please contact us.
Cristy Dice
303-869-9282
cristy.dice@state.co.us
Danielle Duni
303-869-9046
danielle.duni@state.co.us
Martha Sullins
970-491-3330
martha.sullins@colostate.edu
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Funding for this newsletter was made possible, in part, by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in written materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Food and Drug Administration; nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.
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