Compliance dates for farms
are based on business size,
with the largest operations
required to meet compliance
standards first. All sales
amounts are adjusted for
inflation. Farms with average
annual produce sales over the
previous three-year period
of $500,000 or more had a
compliance date of January
2018. Farms considered small
businesses with average annual
produce sales from the last
three-year period of $250,000-
$500,000 had a compliance
date of 2019. Smaller farms,
those with average annual
produce sales over the
previous three-year period of
more than $25,000 but less
than $250,000, have been
assigned a compliance date of
2020. During implementation,
the FDA recognized the
need for more time and
extended all inspections dates
by one year. Therefore, the
largest businesses began this
year, small businesses will
undertake inspections in 2020,
and very small businesses will
be inspected in 2021.
In addition to the
compliance dates mentioned
above, the water portion
of the Produce Safety Rule,
Subpart E, has separate dates.
As of August, the FDA is
still reviewing the current
water regulations and will
potentially make changes.
The largest business size has a
water compliance date of 2022,
small businesses 2023, and
very small businesses in 2024.
Although inspections have
begun, the GDA Farm Safety
team is offering On-Farm
Readiness Reviews (OFRR).
On-Farm Readiness Reviews
are free, voluntary, non-regulatory opportunities that
allow producers to prepare for
their regulatory inspections.
During an OFRR, a team
of farm safety employees
visits farm operations for an
educational review helping
producers locate areas of
concern for the regulatory
inspection.
Another educational
opportunity offered is the
Produce Safety Alliance
Grower Training. The Produce
Safety Alliance Grower
Training is a requirement
for those who must comply
with the PSR. This training is
offered by GDA throughout
the state and educates
producers on the requirements
of the Produce Safety Rule.
Producers receive training
materials that will are used
during PSR inspections.
For more information on
the PSR, visit with the Farm
Safety team in the Georgia
Agriculture Building located
adjacent to the Headquarters
building, just under the
water tower. Information
can also be found on www.
georgiafarmsafety.com or by
calling 229-386-3488.
Funding for this statement, publication, press
release, etc. was made possible, in part, by the
Food and Drug Administration through grant
PAR-16-137. The views expressed in written
materials or publications and by speakers and
moderators do not necessarily reflect the official
policies of the Department of Health and Human
Services; nor does any mention of tradenames,
commercial practices, or organization imply
endorsement by the United States Government.
For more
information, visit
with a Farm Safety
Team member
in the Georgia
Agriculture
Building.