UD Offering Produce Safety Training
University of Delaware is offering a Produce Safety Alliance Training to provide you with up to date training on the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule with information useful for improving general food safety practices and audits. We will be teaching new information about the new water rule that has changed this year. Please see all the details below about attendance and we look forward to seeing you.

Date: Thursday, March 6^th, 2025
Time: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Location: University of Delaware Carvel Research & Education Center
                 16483 County Seat Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947
 
Registration Link: http://www.udel.edu/0012989 Deadline February 28, 2025
Offered by the University of Delaware, Cooperative Extension and the Department of Animal and Food Sciences. For additional information, contact Jennifer Jones at 302-856-7303 or email at jbjones@udel.edu
 
Who should Attend
Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) that requires ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.’
 
What to expect at the PSA Grower Training Course
The trainers will spend approximately seven hours of instruction time covering content contained in these seven modules:

• Introduction to Produce Safety
• Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training
• Soil Amendments
• Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use
• Agricultural Water (Part I: Production Water; Part II: Postharvest Water)
• Postharvest Handling and Sanitation
• How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan

 
In addition to learning about produce safety best practices, key parts of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements are outlined within each module. There will be time for questions and discussion, so participants should come prepared to share their experiences and produce safety questions.
Benefits of Attending the Course
The course will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. Individuals who participate in this course are expected to gain a basic understanding of:

• Microorganisms relevant to produce safety and where they may be found on the farm
• How to identify microbial risks, practices that reduce risks, and how to begin implementing produce safety practices on the farm
• Parts of a farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
• Requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them.

 
After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course. To receive an AFDO certificate, a participant must be present for the entire training and submit the appropriate paperwork to their trainer at the end of the course.

All attendees must register in advance. Registration closes 1 week prior to class date. The cost to attend is $50 and is non-refundable. The course book is available in English and Spanish; however, the class will be taught in English.

University of Delaware Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity provider. If you have special accomodation needs, please contact the office at least 2 weeks prior to the event.