Department Receives Funding to Implement Federal Produce Safety Rules

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The United States Food & Drug Administration has awarded the Maryland Department of Agriculture $3,625,000 to support the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act’s Produce Safety Rule over the next five years. The rule, which the administration finalized in November 2015, establishes science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption.

The funding gives the Department resources to implement a produce safety system, develop and provide education and outreach, and to develop programs to address the specific and unique needs of the growers in Maryland’s farming communities.

The department currently provides voluntary USDA and Maryland Good Handling Practices/Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) audits to growers who need a third-party inspection to meet market demands for food safety and quality.  These program services will continue and expand to assist growers with meeting the FSMA Produce Safety Rule standards.

“Maryland has been on the forefront of food safety production practices with the implementation of the department’s GAP program which includes grower training, assistance with best practices and inspection to verify compliance,” said Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “We’re pleased to be working with the FDA to ensure producers and growers understand and implement practices to meet the requirements of the new produce safety rule and continue to keep our food supply safe.”

The Food & Drug Administration awarded a total of $21.8 million to 42 states in fiscal year 2016 to begin implementing the new produce safety rule. Maryland will receive the maximum amount for which it could apply based on the number of farms growing fresh fruits and vegetables covered by the rule. For more information on the grants, see the administration’s news release.

This cooperative agreement will also allow the department to expand its work with University of Maryland’s Department of Plant Sciences and Landscape Architecture and University of Maryland Extension to educate growers and assist farmers in achieving compliance. There will be FDA-approved training workshops for produce safety and preventive controls along with basic GAP workshops in February and March 2017.

All produce growers and on-farm food processors are strongly encouraged to attend. For more information on the workshops, visit the department’s website or contact Deanna Baldwin at Deanna.baldwin@maryland.gov or (410) 841-5769.

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