Do you grow, harvest, pack, or hold fresh produce? You may be subject to the federal Produce Safety Rule, a part of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which aims to prevent foodborne illness by establishing science-based standards for growing and handling produce intended for human consumption.
Enacted in 2011, the FSMA gives the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to take a proactive approach to food safety. This includes new compliance and enforcement tools that hold both domestic and imported foods to the same safety standards. The Produce Safety Rule sets minimum standards for the growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of produce.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is the implementing agency for the Produce Safety Rule in Arkansas and works directly with growers to provide training, technical assistance, and regulatory support to help them meet these federal requirements.
- View the Arkansas Produce Safety Rule
- Farm Information Survey Form
- On-Farm Consultation Request Form
Compliance and Training
Growers may be required to complete Produce Safety Grower Training depending on their average annual produce sales:
- >$500,000: Compliance began January 26, 2018
- $250,000–$500,000: Compliance began January 2019
- $25,000–$250,000: Compliance began January 2020
To receive notifications about upcoming training opportunities, email: [email protected]
Agricultural Water
On May 2, 2024, the FDA published the “FSMA Final Rule on Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water,” which sets forth agricultural water requirements for covered produce.
- Final Agricultural Water Rule
- FSMA Final Rule on Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water
- Requirements for Harvest and Post-Harvest Agricultural Water in Subpart E for Covered Produce Other Than Sprouts
- Agricultural Water System Inspection Is Different from the Proposed Agricultural Water Assessment
Resources
- Arkansas Produce Safety | On-Farm Food Safety (UADA Extension)
- Produce Safety Alliance | Cornell University
Program Contacts
Gregory D. Alexander, Produce Safety Program Manager
Email: [email protected]
Tammy Winsor, Produce Safety Inspector
Email: [email protected]
Lowell French, Produce Safety Inspector
Email: [email protected]