The USDA and FDA have announced that they will be aligning the USDA’s Harmonized Good Agricultural Practices Audit Program (USDA H-GAP) with the requirements of the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.
The Produce Safety Rule, which went into effect on Jan. 26, 2016, establishes science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. Large farming operations were required to be in compliance in January 2018, but smaller operations have additional time to comply.