From the desk of
THE PRODUCE SAFETY TEAM
March 22, 2021
Tackling Produce Safety in the Off-Season
Emily Hale
Produce Safety Technician
On-Farm Produce Safety is an ongoing effort. Throughout the next couple of newsletters, we'll highlight things you can work on during the off-season to make your production season safer and easier. This week, we're focusing on reviewing and updating your records!
Benefits of the Michigan On-Farm Food Safety Logo!
Micah Hutchison
Produce Safety Technician
Recently, The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced a logo use agreement for Produce Safety Risk Assessment (PSRA) Certificate holding farms. Click here to read about how this agreement could benefit your farm!
What you need to know about keeping records under the FSMA Produce Safety Rule
Emily Hale
Produce Safety Technician
There are 7 "required records" outlined in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule but it’s possible that not all records in the rule apply to your farm. Only keep the records that correlate with activities taking place on your operation. Click here to learn more about the required records!
What are your Records Telling You?
Jordan DeVries
Produce Safety Technician
The Produce Safety Rule requires the review of both postharvest wash water monitoring records and cleaning and sanitizing records within a reasonable time after the records are created. Growers typically use a records review to catch product that may have become unfit for raw consumption, and then hopefully issue a corrective action while it's still under the grower or handler's control. 

But don't think that's all a records review is for! Click here to read more!
Produce Growers: Your Next Step towards FSMA Compliance is a FREE On-Farm Readiness Review!
Many growers of fresh produce want to know how ready they are with regards to being FSMA compliant. In an effort to get people ready for a full implementation of FSMA, Cooperative Extension has developed an On-Farm Readiness Review program. This article helps growers walk through the next steps. .,,
"Tech Talks" Provide Practical Solutions
for Produce Growers
Join Michigan's Produce Safety Technicians and various resource professionals for these "deep dives" into common produce safety challenges on fresh Produce Farms. Pre-registration is required!

TECH TALK TOPICS:
April 6th 2021: Wildlife Co-Management - help from the experts!
Michigan State University Extension is providing this FREE course to farm food safety supervisors to provide support as they navigate the requirements of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule. This course will provide participants with information about the rule, and how to use relevant resources to support their farm's compliance with the rule. 
Explore your farm's Produce Safety Rule status with MDARD.
If you want to connect with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to learn more about how the FSMA Produce Safety Rule applies to your farm or your inspection status, please complete this MDARD Grower survey. A member of MDARD’s Produce Safety Team will contact you directly to verify your status based on the information you provide. Not only do you get to know your status, but MDARD will maintain this data to ensure that you receive relevant communication related to the Produce Safety Rule and Michigan’s Produce Safety Program. 
Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety Team
1715 Lansing Ave, Jackson, MI 49202 | MSU Extension MACD Produce Safety Technicians
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