News Release
For Immediate Release — January 14, 2010
New Food Safety Regulations Expected for Fruit and Vegetable Growers
Training Scheduled
Regulations have passed the U.S. House of Representatives and will soon come before the U.S. Senate on fruit and vegetable food safety for growers. These regulations are based on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP’s) and third party audits. If passed in their current form, the regulations will usher in the most sweeping changes in this industry in 70 years.
To make growers aware of the expected requirements and to help with compliance, University of Tennessee Extension will hold three detailed trainings for producers this winter in Middle Tennessee. These meetings are free, but reservations are suggested. Dates and places are:
Feb. 24, Ethridge (Lawrence County) – Plowboy Auction. For more information call (931) 762-5506.
March 2, Fayetteville, (Lincoln County) – Ralph Hastings Building. For more information call (931) 433-1582.
March 3, Columbia (Maury County) – Tennessee Farm Bureau Building. For more information call (931) 375-5301.
These meetings will go from 9 a.m. until noon and include a sponsored lunch. Each of the three classes will cover the same material. Call the contact numbers listed for reservations and meeting details.
The USDA version of the inspection guidelines can be found online at www.ams.usda.gov/gapghp
Some samples of the proposed regulations for melons, tomatoes and leafy greens include:
*Produce must be washed in chlorinated wash water, and chlorine levels monitored. Well and spring water, as well as municipal water, must be tested for safety and test records kept. Packing equipment must be washed and sanitized daily.
*All containers will have to be either food-grade plastic, single-use cardboard or have plastic liners. These will have to be washed and sanitized with chlorine water or another approved sanitizer after each use.
*Livestock must be excluded from irrigation ponds, and if livestock are upslope from your produce field, you will need to either ask your neighbor to move their livestock or build a ditch/berm between your produce field and the livestock field to prevent runoff from flowing into the produce field.
On-farm mock demonstration audits will be held in four locations in Middle Tennessee this spring and summer. Arrangements are not yet final, so contact your local county UT Extension agent for more details.
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Contact:
David Qualls, County Director, Lincoln County Extension, (931) 433-1582, Dqualls1@utk.edu