The Food Safety Team at Iowa State University’s department of food science and human nutrition is hosting trainings in the next several months to help growers prepare for the requirements of the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The FSMA applies to most farmers market vendors.
The FSMA’s produce safety rule establishes science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption.
Growers who attend the training session will meet the requirement that at least one supervisor or responsible party from each farm successfully complete food safety training.
A training session is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 2, in Fort Dodge, from 8 am to 5 pm. Lunch will be provided.
Pre-registrations are required; the deadline for the Nov. 2 session is Oct. 19. Cost is $20 for Iowa residents. Persons who want more information or registration forms can call program coordinator Ellen Johnsen at 515-294-6773 or email IowaFSMA@iastate.edu Registration can be done online at https://www.safeproduce.cals.iastate.edu/events
During the seven-hour training participants will cover seven modules: introduction to produce safety; worker health, hygiene, and training; soil amendments; wildlife, domesticated animals, and land use; agricultural water (production water and postharvest water; postharvest handling and sanitation; and how to develop a farm food safety plan.
Key parts of the FSMA produce safety rule requirements are outlined within each module.
