Helping Tropical Fruit Growers to Comply with the New Food Safety Regulations

Abstract

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was enacted in 2011, and the rules and regulations were finalized in the years following. One of the new food safety regulations, the Produce Safety Rule (PSR), for agricultural production of fresh fruits will transform the U.S. production system, especially for small and medium sized operations with limited staff and income. Between 2013 and 2015, a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services grant provided funds to the Tropical Fruit Growers of South Florida and the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) to implement a two-year project to develop a generic good agricultural and harvesting practices (GAP and GHP) manual for tropical fruit growers. In addition, the project offered producers food safety training to comply with the impending FSMA regulations. That project resulted in 123 tropical fruit producers participating in the offered workshops, seminars and training. Currently, UF/IFAS scientists from the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department are leading an effort to offer food safety training to all of Florida’s fruit and vegetable producers, including the tropical fruit industry. The training uses a U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognized program developed by the Produce Safety Alliance. The program develops certified food safety trainers who then offer produce safety training to producers throughout the State. An additional program is also offered that uses a generic food safety manual for tropical fruit producers.