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FSMA
July 10, 2017
Hello Produce Safety Alliance Members:
We hope you all are having a great summer! With the production season in full swing for most, we have just a few quick updates to share in our July newsletter. Read on for more information on our updated training and course totals, FDA announcements, and public availability of the PSA curriculum for download. 
Local Food Safety Collaborative - Food Safety Survey
The Local Food Safety Collaborative (LFSC), a collaboration between National Farmers Union Foundation and the Food and Drug Administration, aims to provide specialized training, education, and outreach to farmers and food processors who serve local markets. The LFSC is conducting a food safety survey to help direct their resources to best enhance fundamental food safety knowledge and help small farmers and  processors comply with applicable Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations. Survey participation is voluntary and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. After completing the survey, participants may elect to enter personal information to be entered in a raffle for one of twenty $100.00 gift cards.

Survey Link in English: www.localfoodsafety.org/survey
Survey Link in Spanish: www.localfoodsafety.org/spanish-survey

FDA Updates
FDA Intends to Extend Compliance Dates for Agricultural Water Standards
Reposted  from:  https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm561844.htm

" Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it is exploring ways to simplify the agricultural water standards established by the Food Safety Modernization Act's (FSMA) produce safety rule (PSR) after receiving feedback from stakeholders that some of the requirements are too complex to understand and implement.

FDA is now announcing its intention to extend the compliance dates for agricultural water requirements in the PSR (other than for sprouts). The FDA intends to extend the compliance dates using appropriate procedures at a later time and the length of the extension is under consideration.

The FDA intends to use the extended time period to work with stakeholders as it considers the best approach to address their concerns while still protecting public health.
The extended compliance dates will also give farms an opportunity to continue to review their practices, processes and procedures related to agricultural water and how it is used on their farms.

Agricultural water can be a major conduit of pathogens that can contaminate produce, which is why FSMA's produce safety rule sets microbial quality standards for agricultural water, including irrigation water that comes into contact with produce. FDA remains committed to protecting public health while implementing rules that are workable across the diversity of the food industry."
Produce Safety Alliance Course & Trainer Report
The latest course and trainer report (June 26, 2017) is now available on our website!
The Produce Safety Alliance does not share individual course participant information. If you have any questions about the PSA's outreach or training activities, please contact Gretchen Wall, 607-882-3087. 



Updates for Trainers & Educators

PSA Curriculum Now Publicly Available for Download in English & Spanish

On Friday, July 7, 2017, the PSA posted the electronic versions of the Grower Training manual for download in English  & Spanish along with material use guidelines and printing instructions. We encourage you to buy printed versions of the manual online as these sales help to support the Produce Safety Alliance's continued sustainability and outreach efforts. However, if printing the electronic release files is necessary, please follow the printing guidelines outlined on the website for highest quality.
 
Please note, we anticipate having the printed Spanish version of the manual available on July 14, 2017. The online order form will be updated to include Spanish manual purchasing options when we have inventory ready to ship.

Get connected with other trainers in your region!
Note:  Not all individuals have chosen to be posted publicly on our website. The individuals listed have granted the PSA permission to post their contact information online. For additional information about total PSA Trainers and PSA Lead Trainers, explore the Training Reports resource discussed above.
Stay in Touch!
Our general listserve reaches over 3,000 growers, industry members, regulatory agents, and educators in the United States and around the globe. Signing up for the listserve is  the best way to stay in touch with the PSA. To sign up, please visit our website at  producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu  or use the link included at the bottom of this e-mail message
 
As always, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, comments, or ideas. We love feedback, so let us know! Good, bad, or otherwise - our ears (and e-mail inboxes) are always open!

Gretchen L. Wall, M.S.

Produce Safety Alliance Coordinator 

Elizabeth A. Bihn, Ph.D.

Produce Safety Alliance Director 

Cornell University - Dept. of Food Science

110B Stocking Hall

Ithaca, NY 14853

NEW Phone: 607.882.3087

Email: glw53@cornell.edu

Hedrick Hall - NYSAES
630 W. North Street
Geneva, NY 14456
Phone: 315.787.2625