{"id":3589,"date":"2023-03-21T21:24:31","date_gmt":"2023-03-21T21:24:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agi.alabama.gov\/foodsafety\/?page_id=3589"},"modified":"2025-03-18T14:11:19","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T14:11:19","slug":"fsma","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/agi.alabama.gov\/foodsafety\/fsma\/","title":{"rendered":"Produce Safety Program"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Produce Safety Rule in Alabama<\/h3>\n
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The US Food & Drug Administration\u2019s (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) aims to create an integrated food safety system that can reduce foodborne illnesses. FSMA is the most comprehensive reform of food safety laws in the United States in over 70 years. As 1 of 7 rules created by FSMA, the Produce Safety Rule (PSR). ADAI\u2019s produce safety program is designed to encourage the safe production of fresh fruits and vegetables in the state by ensuring that all produce growers in the state are informed and educated on how the PSR impacts them. <\/p>\n

In order to successfully implement the PSR in Alabama, ADAI needs to build a complete list of produce growers in Alabama. Help us build our farms inventory by completing a quick registration<\/a>. This registration is voluntary for growers but is very beneficial to both our Produce Safety Team and the growers of Alabama. With this registration, our team determines if growers are exempt or covered by the Produce Safety Rule. Our team also uses this information to schedule produce safety trainings, provide on-farm readiness reviews and much more!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Christy Smith - Program Administrator<\/strong>
\nPhone: (334)-399-0598<\/p>\n

Heather Cofield - Produce Safety Specialist<\/strong>
\nPhone: (334)-328-2015<\/p>\n

Meredith Casey - Education & Outreach Coordinator<\/strong>
\nPhone: (334)-546-7457<\/p>\n

Email: producesafety@agi.alabama.gov <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Is my Farm Subject to the Produce Safety Rule?<\/h3>\n
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No farm is exempt from producing safe food, but your farm could be exempt from coverage by the Produce Safety Rule.<\/p>\n

FDA Coverage and Exemptions\/Exclusions Flow Chart<\/a><\/p>\n

If your produce sales are less than $25,000 per year (adjusted for inflation) OR<\/strong> if you only grow produce that is rarely consumed raw (such as potatoes, pumpkins, or beans) you are not<\/u><\/strong> subject to the Produce Safety Rule.\u00a0Please see the full list on FDA\u2019s website. FDA Rarely Consumed Raw list<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Your farm IS<\/u><\/strong> covered if:
\n1. Your average annual produce sales exceed $25,000 (adjusted for inflation) over the past three years.
\n2. You grow raw agricultural commodities (RACs)\u2014produce that is typically eaten raw (e.g., lettuce, tomatoes, apples, cucumbers).
\n3. You sell produce to wholesale buyers, distributors, or directly to consumers outside of a qualified exemption.<\/p>\n

Your farm may be partially exempt from certain Produce Safety Rule requirements.\u00a0However, you must still meet modified food safety requirements and maintain documentation.<\/p>\n

For qualified exempt (QE) status, your farm must meet BOTH of these conditions:<\/p>\n

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  1. Total food sales (not just produce) are less than $500,000 per year (adjusted for inflation) AND<\/li>\n
  2. More than 50% of your sales are direct to consumers (e.g., on-farm retail, farmers markets, Farm-to-School sold directly to school systems), local restaurants, or retail establishments (e.g., product sold directly to grocery stores, farm markets) within 275 miles of your farm.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If you fall under the QE, you must still keep records that document annual food sales and buyer types to prove eligibility. If selling directly to consumers, you must provide the farm name and business address on the produce label or at the point of sale. Best practices for worker hygiene, water use, and sanitation are still recommended.<\/p>\n

    If your farm grows produce that will be commercially processed, there will be an exemption if your farm only sells produce to processors that adequately reduce the presence of harmful microorganisms through a kill step (i.e., canning, pasteurization, cooking, refining or milling). This exemption applies to that specific commodity and not the entire farm.\u00a0For example, if you grow tomatoes, watermelon, cucumbers, and peaches but only process cucumbers for pickles \u2013 the cucumbers are exempt from inspection. All other produce will be inspected.<\/p>\n

    Please see Produce Safety Alliance Resources For Recordkeeping<\/a> for record keeping requirements under the Produce Safety Rule.<\/p>\n

    The $25,000 and $500,000 values are adjusted for inflation every April. More information can be found at\u00a0FSMA Inflation Adjusted Cut-offs<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    Education<\/h3>\n
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    Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training\u00a0<\/strong>is offered by Alabama Cooperative Extension Services (ACES).\u00a0This training or equivalent is required for farms subject to the Produce Safety Rule.\u00a0The course\/manual also serves as a resource for farms that participate in the GAP audit program.\u00a0Anyone interested in farm food safety best practices may take the course.\u00a0Grower Training Courses<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    How do Inspections Work?<\/h3>\n
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    Initial inspections are educational in nature.\u00a0Currently all inspections are scheduled in advance.\u00a0The coverage status of the farm will be confirmed during scheduling.<\/p>\n

    On the day of the inspection, the inspector will introduce themselves, reason for the visit and are required to provide identification. Inspector will conduct a walk-through of the farm activities and review records all while openly discussing observations with the farm.<\/p>\n

    At the close of inspection, a Form 4056 (inspection form) will be issued.\u00a0The inspector will go over any regulatory concerns and provide you with information on resources and technical assistance.<\/p>\n

    More Information:\u00a0FDA Produce Safety Rule Inspections<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    Technical Assistance<\/h3>\n
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    I have a question, who do I contact?<\/p>\n

    Alabama Department of Agriculture<\/strong><\/p>\n