FSMA Produce Rules Review Teleconference Scheduled

By Laurel Maloy, contributing writer, Food Online

All small produce growers, producers, shippers, and buyers, even if exempt from FSMA regulation, are encouraged to attend and learn

The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA), part of the Cornell University Department of Food Science, along with staff from the FDA, is hosting a free teleconference. Scheduled for Monday, July 7, 2014, at 2 P.M. EDT, this teleconference is one more tool in the FDA’s arsenal for providing the food industry with the latest information available on the implementation of FSMA.

The PSA is headed by director Elizabeth Bihn and is funded by the FDA in association with the USDA. Bihn is also the coordinator for the National Good Agricultural Practices Program (GAPs) at Cornell.  PSA’s focus is to be a primary source for the fresh produce industry to receive information and training related to FSMA. Bihn points out that though many smaller produce operations are exempt from FSMA regulations, they are not exempt from the marketplace. In fact, her conversations with growers in recent weeks have indicated that buyers are implementing FSMA’s food safety requirements, regardless of their size. Even the smallest producer can be held liable if produce makes people ill through the transmission of foodborne pathogens.  

The main presenter during the teleconference will be Kathy Gombas, the FDA’s Deputy Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Gombas is expected to outline the FDA’s strategy for implementation of the rules required by the Act, although not all of the rules have been finalized. Gombas and other FDA staff members will be fielding questions after the main presentation. PSA especially encourages smaller produce growers and shippers to take advantage of this free informational teleconference. The material will be timely, accurate, and invaluable to all growers, producers, and shippers of fresh produce.

To further educate the produce industry, PSA volunteers are currently developing a curriculum for its train-the-trainer pilot program scheduled to begin late this summer or early fall. Covering seven key areas, extension educators, regulatory officials, produce growers, and other representatives of the produce industry are instrumental in the program’s development. The curriculum is in the review stage now, with training of the trainers starting as soon as possible. Once the trainers have completed the program, sessions will be available for produce growers and shippers across the country. These sessions are anticipated to start this fall, with an emphasis on training extension agents. It is also expected to attract the attention of grower associations and trade groups. Questions and concerns can be directed to any of the contacts at the Produce Safety Alliance. The teleconference's call-in information and instructions can be found here.