2017 Spring FDA FSMA-defined grower produce safety trainings scheduled

Registration for all four Michigan locations hosting Produce Safety Alliance grower training is now open.

Produce Safety Alliance grower training courses satisfying the Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule certification requirement will be offered at four Michigan locations in spring 2017. 

Day-long training courses addressing sound food safety and environmental practices satisfying the Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule certification requirement will be offered 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. March 16 in Hart, April 3 in Grand Rapids, April 4 in Traverse City, and April 6 in Marquette.

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 produce farms covered by the FSMA Produce Safety rule must take such a course.

FSMA compliance deadlines are as follows based on three-year average gross sales/farm:

All other businesses (>$500K)

1/26/2018

Small businesses (>$250K-500K)

1/26/2019

Very small businesses (>$25K-250K)

1/26/2020

Due to a grant from Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development and the US Food and Drug Administration, the training program, materials and certification process are included without charge.

Pre-registration is required. Because of space and funding limitations, please limit participation to one person per operation. Registration and program details are available on the 2017 Spring Grower Produce Safety Course event page.

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 which 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.

Grower training is sponsored by Michigan State University Extension, Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, Michigan Farm Bureau, US Food and Drug Administration, and the Produce Safety Alliance.

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