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March 2, 2021


In this issue:
Visit our YouTube Page
Advanced GAP Webinar Series
A Legal Guide to Direct Farm Marketing for Maryland Produce Growers
Announcing: Agriculture and Food Systems
Breakfast with the Food Safety Group


Trainers get Training too
 
The winter months offer the best opportunities to learn new skills and catch up on changes in food safety standards and checklists and with research. When we are not training our farmers, that is the focus of the Plant Science Food Safety Group.

One of the important standards and checklists that just underwent some revisions is the USDA Harmonized GAP Certification. Many of the changes are to provide clarity of the language or the intent of the section. Here are just a few of the changes:

G-10.3 Whenever possible, restrooms do not open directly into product handling areas.

G-12.1 Operation shall assess the potential for unauthorized access to growing and/or packing areas and its impact on food safety. G-12.1 goes on to detail site security.

G-12.2 Operation shall develop an emergency response plan. Read the new regulations for more details.

F-8.2.c  A cleaning and sanitation program for food contact surfaces shall be established, implemented and maintained. The program shall include measures for monitoring to verify effectiveness.  There is more detail to this section.

If you currently have USDA Harmonized or Harmonized+ certification, you should review the updated standards and checklist to ensure your food safety plan meets the revised requirements. The above list is just a small sample of the changes that will go into effect on May 1, 2021. The standards and checklist can be read in its entirety here: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/auditing/gap-ghp/harmonized

Also, if the Tomato Audit Protocol applies to you, it has been incorporated into the Harmonized GAP and Harmonized GAP + standards.

We were particularly taken with this diagram (below) as it clarifies the relationship between the various GAP Certification levels.
 

We encourage Maryland growers to begin by taking MDA GAP training (instead of USDA GAP), developing a food safety plan and obtaining MDA certification. It is the entry point for bringing food safety culture to an operation.

The MDA GAP has recently been aligned with the FSMA Produce Safety Rule. These improvements will help farmers make the step into compliance with the PSR as their farm grows in size. The updated standards and checklist can be found on the website here: https://psla.umd.edu/extension/produce-safety/newsletter-resources.

As always, the Plant Science Food Safety Group stands ready to help farmers with their food safety culture!


 

The Plant Science Food Safety Group YouTube Page!  
Visit our website for more produce safety information
https://psla.umd.edu/extension/produce-safety

 
Are you interested in Harmonized GAP Certification?

Announcing: Advanced Good Agricultural Practices Webinar Series

When: Tuesday mornings, February 2nd to March 9th from 7:00am – 8:00am.

This series is free and will present key aspects in preparing for a Harmonized GAP audit, as well as food safety updates going into the 2021 season. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maryland-advanced-good-agricultural-practices-webinar-series-tickets-135784419855. All sessions will be recorded and available for viewing at another time. Registration will close the day before the session.

Each Advanced GAP webinar will provide registered attendees with educational materials and a certificate of completion. Contact Angela Ferelli (angfer@umd.edu, (301)-405-8922) or Carol Allen (callen12@umd.edu , 240-994-5043) for more information.

February 2nd, 7:00am – 8:00am. Introduction: Taking the Next Step in On-Farm Food Safety.
Learn the logistics of and how to prepare for the harmonized GAP audit. 2021 produce safety updates included.
February 16th, 7:00am – 8:00am. Preparing for Harmonized GAP: Writing Written Risk Assessments. 
Discover how to efficiently and effectively construct written assessments to account for food safety risks on your operation.
February 23rd, 7:00am – 8:00am. Research Spotlight: Salmonella in Mid-Atlantic Irrigation Water Sources.
Mid-Atlantic food safety water quality issues will be discussed as well as how to manage your water sources for Harmonized GAP.
March 2nd, 7:00am - 8:00am - Preparing for Harmonized GAP: Product Traceability and Getting Recall Ready.
Look at effectively recording the inputs you use to make your product, how to follow your product to your buyers, and preparing for a possible recall.
March 9th, 7:00am – 8:00am. COVID-19 Updates and Resources for the 2021 Season. 
Maryland COVID-19 requirements for your farm operation are expected to change. Learn about the resources to help you keep your workers and customers safe.

Legalities of Direct Marketing for Specialty Crop Growers 

ALEI, one of our partners in the Maryland Food Safety Network presented two webinars, February 18th and February 23rd presenting a guide to the legal issues that go along with direct marketing. Attendees received a copy of the printed guide,  A Legal Guide to Direct Farm Marketing for Maryland Produce Growers. The webinars were recorded and are available for viewing on the ALEI website.
http://umaglaw.org/event/legaldirectmarketing/
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There are signs available through the MDA Food Quality Assurance Program to encourage good consumer practices while in the market and on the farm. Contact the Food Safety Group for availability.
Wash Your Produce
Keep Farms Clean
This 12" x 18" poster comes either as a corrugated poster board or as a magnetic sign and is perfect for Pick-Your-Own operations.
 


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Breakfast with the Food Safety Group from 7:00 - 10:00 am!
We are offering virtual office hours from 7:00 - 10:00 am.
Carol Allen can be reached at 301-405-7543 on Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings.
Angela Ferelli can be reached at 301-405-8922 Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
 
Call in with your questions about food safety for fresh produce!

Keep track of what is happening in produce safety and find cool resources. Check out our website: Food Safety Group Website 

Miss a back issue? They can be found on the website above by clicking on the "Food Safety Newsletter for Maryland Farmers" button. The past issues tab can be found in the top left corner.

 
Housekeeping: Notice there are Subscribe and Unsubscribe links at the bottom of the page. Please subscribe and pass this newsletter on! We want to serve your needs and the needs of all Maryland farmers big and small no matter your food crop. If something bugs you, please contact me! …but we want to stay in touch so don’t unsubscribe, reach out!

Carol D. Allen, Agent Associate and Editor
Chris Walsh, Professor Emeritus and Co-PI
University of Maryland
Plant Science Food Safety Group
callen12@umd.edu

Questions for MDA Food Quality Assurance Program:
Deanna Baldwin, Program Manager    

Food Quality Assurance Program
Maryland Department of Agriculture
produce.safety@maryland.gov
 
Funding for this publication was made possible, in part, by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137.  The views expressed in written materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health & Human Services; nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government. University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class
Highway 301 Fruit and Vegetable News
Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture Produce Safety
Carol D.Allen, Editor
Copyright © 2020 Plant Science Food Safety Group All rights reserved.

Plant Science Food Safety Group, 2102 Plant Science Bldg., College Park, MD 20742

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University of Maryland Food Safety Group · 2102 Plant Science Building · College Park, MD 20742-0001 · USA

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