Program Overview
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), under an agreement with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is building a Produce Safety Program to promote understanding of the new Produce Safety Rule. The FDA established these new minimum standards for safe growing, harvesting, packing and holding of produce grown for human consumption as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
Steps for Produce Growers
Just beginning to learn about the Produce Safety Rule? Here are some good starting points:
- Learn where your farm falls under the Produce Safety Rule.
- Understand your farm's status and what does or does not apply to your business.
- Take a FSMA Produce Safety Rule Grower Training course. This course meets the training requirement for farms that are covered under the rule.
- Request an On-Farm Readiness Review with MDA and University of Minnesota Extension staff.
- Use the pre-inspection checklist if your farm is fully covered by the Produce Safety Rule.
- Attend a Produce Safety Advisory Group meeting.
- Sign up for the Produce Safety Program e-newsletter.
Results Based Accountability
We use a program evaluation framework called Results Based Accountability (RBA) to measure the impact of our work. By identifying our ideal end-goals through this framework, we can strategically plan our work, track our progress towards those goals, and allocate resources more efficiently to achieve them. Visit our RBA Dashboard to learn more!
Questions?
Have more questions about what the Produce Safety Rule means for you? We want to hear from you! Our team includes a mix of inspectors, outreach staff, analysts, and project specialists. We are all here to support understanding and compliance with the requirements of the rule. Give us a call at 651-539-3648 or send us an email at ProduceSafety.MDA@state.mn.us with any questions you might have.
Funding for this program 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 and Human Services; nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.
