The Produce Safety Program does not require farms to obtain any permits or licenses to sell their produce. Please click the link below to fill out the online voluntary ‘NC Farm Identification Form’ or fill out the PDF version located in the 'Documents' section of this website and return it via email, text, or physical mail. Filling out this voluntary form makes the Produce Safety Program aware of your farming operation and what you are growing so we can provide you with any produce safety updates that may be relevant to your farm/commodity.

The Produce Safety Program

The Produce Safety Program located within the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services (NCDA&CS) was developed under a cooperative agreement with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and provides support to North Carolina fresh produce farmers through education and outreach to build knowledge of the Produce Safety Rule (PSR) and assist in developing programs responsive to the PSR. The Produce Safety Program collaborates with NC State University, NCDA&CS Research Stations, and other key stakeholders, such as the NC Fresh Produce Safety Task Force, to provide assistance and technical support to the farming community. In addition to providing education and outreach, the Produce Safety Program is also tasked with conducting produce safety inspections to determine compliance with the Produce Safety Rule.

The Produce Safety Rule

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), signed into law in 2011, establishes a “farm to fork” approach to food safety with a focus on prevention. The Produce Safety Rule (PSR), one of the rules associated with FSMA, establishes science based, minimum standards for the growing, harvesting, packing and holding of fruits and vegetables. Farms that produce fresh fruits and vegetables commonly consumed raw may be subject to regulatory inspection due to the PSR, however there are exemptions to the rule.

North Carolina Agribusiness

North Carolina agribusiness is fortunate to have strong leadership in NCDA&CS that supports a food safety culture and investments in food safety efforts; this leadership is evident at the highest level. NC Commissioner of Agriculture, Steve Troxler, Past President of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), and Chrissy Waggett, Assistant Commissioner for Consumer Protection, are strong advocates, at the state and national level, for the role of State agencies, optimally State Departments of Agriculture, in developing and delivering outreach, education and inspection programs responsive to the regulatory mandates of the Produce Safety Rule.

Outreach

The Produce Safety Program works diligently to identify all produce farms in the state to ensure that they are aware of the Produce Safety Rule regulations. When we connect with a produce farm through outreach, whether it is an in-person farm visit, at a commodity meeting or conference, through mail, by phone, or through email, our goal is to educate you about the Produce Safety Rule, help you determine if your farm ‘covered’ aka eligible for inspection under the Produce Safety Rule, and let you know about the educational opportunities for learning more about the Produce Safety Rule. The best way to keep in touch is for you to voluntarily verify your farm information with the Produce Safety Program, whether or not your farm is ‘covered’ under the Produce Safety Rule.

- Why should I verify my farm information? By voluntarily verifying your farm you provide the Produce Safety Program with up to date information about your farm's size, the commodities you grow, and correct contact information. We use this to keep a Farm Inventory and discuss next steps for your operation, whether that is an On-Farm Readiness Review, an inspection, or an educational farm visit.

- How do I verify my farm information with the Produce Safety Program? Click the link below to fill out the online voluntary ‘NC Farm Identification Form’ or fill out the PDF version located within resources and return it via email or physical mail.

Education

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course

- What is a PSA Grower Training Course all about? A PSA Grower Training Course is an 8-hour course that will teach you the importance of produce safety as it directly relates to the Produce Safety Rule, as well as the skills needed to implement those practices on your farm.

- What should I expect at a PSA Grower Training Course? A group of produce safety subject matter experts will present information on worker health, hygiene, and training, agricultural water, soil amendments, animals, sanitation, and required records related to your farm.

- Who should attend a PSA Grower Training Course? We encourage all produce growers to attend a PSA Grower Training Course whether or not the farm is covered under the Produce Safety Rule! The PSA Grower Training Course does also meet the Produce Safety Rule requirement that at least one supervisor or responsible party from the farm must successfully complete a food safety training recognized as adequate by the FDA for covered farms.

- How do I register for a PSA Grower Training Course? Reach out to Sarah Cope, Outreach Coordinator, at sarah.cope@ncagr.gov to inquire about local, in-person upcoming PSA Grower Training Courses. Or visit the Produce Safety Alliance website at: https://cals.cornell.edu/produce-safety-alliance/training/grower-training-course/upcoming-grower-trainings. 

Sprout Safety Alliance Grower Training Course

- Do you grow sprouts? The Sprout Safety Alliance (SSA) is a public-private alliance that develops a core curriculum, training and outreach programs for stakeholders in the sprout production community to enhance the industry's understanding and implementation of the requirements in the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, and best practices for improving sprout safety.

- How do I find out more about produce safety practices surrounding sprout production? To browse resources or attend a Sprout Safety Alliance Training visit the website at: https://www.iit.edu/ssa.

On-Farm Readiness Review

- What is an On-Farm Readiness Review? An OFRR is a voluntary, educational, non-regulatory, and confidential review of a farm's readiness for compliance with the Produce Safety Rule. OFRRs provide farmers with information and resources to assist in meeting the requirements of the PSR and prepare for inspections.

- Who conducts an On-Farm Readiness Review? An OFRR is conducted jointly by a member of the NCDA&CS Produce Safety Program and a member of NC State Extension, along with yourself. You are also welcome to invite anyone else you would like to join along.

- How do I prepare for an On-Farm Readiness Review? Attend a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course to provide yourself with the essential background knowledge about the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and recommended produce safety practices prior to requesting an OFRR. Review your farm practices and then request an OFRR.

- What happens during an On-Farm Readiness Review? The OFRR will begin with a discussion of what commodities are grown, produce safety practices, and farm procedures. Then, the team will view growing, harvesting, washing, packing, storing, and holding practices. It will conclude with feedback and the opportunity to request technical assistance related to produce safety practices on your farm.

- How do I request an On-Farm Readiness Review? Reach out to Sarah Cope, Outreach Coordinator, at sarah.cope@ncagr.gov to request a voluntary, free, On-Farm Readiness Review.

FDA/State Joint Workshops

The FDA has partnered with the state cooperative agreement grantees to offer three workshops. North Carolina hosts these workshops in collaboration with the FDA regularly.

Cleaning and Sanitizing Workshop: The Cleaning and Sanitizing Workshop covers best practices of cleaning and sanitizing within the context of the Produce Safety rule, with perspectives from industry, cooperative extension, and regulatory agencies. It includes an overview on the Produce Safety rule and draft guidance to understand the current regulatory framework and requirements associated with cleaning and sanitizing for covered produce on covered farms.

Water Systems Workshop: The Water Systems Workshop aims to promote greater understanding of water systems, water distribution equipment and connections, and water assessments, including FDA's proposed Agriculture Water Assessment Builder Tool. The ultimate goal is to ensure attendees are equipped to evaluate their water systems for risk factors that may affect the safety of fresh produce. This workshop is designed to be interactive using presentations that encourage discussions, scenario-based small group breakouts, and hands-on activities. The workshop is structured to accommodate regional considerations within the content.

Biological Soil Amendments of Animal Origin Workshop: This workshop covers best practices of composting within the context of the Produce Safety Rule, with perspectives from industry, cooperative extension, and regulatory agencies. It will include an overview on the Produce Safety Rule and draft guidance to understand the current regulatory framework and requirements associated with the use of  Biological Soil Amendments of Animal Origin (BSAAO) for covered produce on farms. The intent is to help regulated farms understand how to comply with the current requirements, provide an update on the status of BSAAO Risk Assessment, associated research, and discuss what it means for the possible future of Subpart F provisions for the use of untreated BSAAO on covered farms.

To join the mailing list to be notified about upcoming workshops and trainings please email Sarah Cope, Outreach Coordinator, at sarah.cope@ncagr.gov.

Produce Safety Field Days

Every year, in collaboration with the NC Fresh Produce Safety Task Force, the Produce Safety Program hosts a Produce Safety Field Day on a Research Station in the state. These educational events include a wide variety of produce safety, as well as additional farming, content.

To join the mailing list to be notified about upcoming workshops, trainings, and events like the Produce Safety Field Day, please email Sarah Cope, Outreach Coordinator, at sarah.cope@ncagr.gov. 

Inspections

The Produce Safety Program conducts produce safety inspections to determine the farms’ compliance with the Produce Safety Rule.

- Scheduling the Inspection: One of our inspectors will call the farm owner or manager to schedule the inspection and discuss what commodities are grown on the farm, what activities are conducted on the farm, the farm size, any safety or visitor policies at the farm, and select a date and time for the inspection that works for both the inspector and all farm personnel who wish to be a part of the inspection. Prior to the inspection, the inspector will provide a list of required records that the farm can gather and have on hand when the inspection day arrives. Approximately one week prior to the inspection, the inspector will call the farm to confirm the inspection date and time.

- Day of the Inspection- Initial Interview: When the day of the scheduled produce farm inspection arrives, the Produce Regulatory Specialist will arrive to the farm, introduce him or herself, present his or her state credentials, provide a notice of inspection, and will then begin with an initial interview. During the initial interview, the inspector will describe the reason for the inspection and activities that will be conducted during the inspection. The amount of time an inspection will take depends on a variety of factors including the farm activities, size of the farm, and what is observed during the inspection; however, inspections typically last between three to four hours.

- Day of the Inspection- Farm Walk Through: Once the initial interview wraps up, the inspection will move into the walk-through of the farm where the inspector will observe all farm operations happening that day including but not limited to: growing, harvesting, packing and/or holding of produce and will also ask to review records. The inspector may ask questions, take notes, and copy records. Additionally, the inspector may ask questions about farming practices and operations that they are not able to observe during the inspection. If there are any regulatory concerns found during the walk-through, the inspector will discuss and explain the public health significance. 

- Day of the Inspection- Exit Interview: The inspection will conclude with an exit interview where the inspector will go over any regulatory concerns from the walk-through and provide technical assistance if needed. Corrective actions can be taken during the inspection and documented by the inspector, or the inspector will help determine a reasonable time frame to implement preventive measures or corrective actions. The inspector will gladly answer any questions regarding the inspection and will provide a copy of the produce farm inspection observation form before he or she leaves. It is the Produce Safety Program's main goal to educate before and while we regulate.

To determine if your farm is eligible for an inspection or to schedule your farm inspection, please reach out to the Produce Safety Program by phone at 984-236-4820 or fill out the online or PDF version of the ‘NC Farm Identification Form’ and submit it.

- Is my farm ‘covered’ aka eligible for inspection under the Produce Safety Rule? Use the FDA Produce Safety Rule Coverage Flowchart and the NC Farm Identification Form to help you determine if your farm is eligible for inspection under the Produce Safety Rule. Reach out to the Produce Safety Program with any questions.

- Who conducts farm inspections? A member of the NCDA&CS Produce Safety Program team who has been trained in produce safety standards will observe on-farm practices, conditions, and review required records. Inspectors are unbiased, consistent, and their goal is to protect the food supply for the health of consumers.

- Are farm inspections scheduled or unannounced? In most cases, farm inspections are scheduled and there is a pre-inspection call so you know when your inspection will be conducted and who will be coming on to your farm to conduct the inspection. The pre-inspection call confirms the commodities grown and farm activities occurring, inspector’s information, biosecurity practices, farm’s policies, and ensures that the owner or produce safety manager will be present at the inspection. Under certain circumstances a farm inspection may be unannounced, typically due to previous produce safety issues on the farm that require follow-up, or complaints, recalls, or foodborne outbreaks associated with the farm.

- Are farm inspections different from audits? Yes, please visit the Marketing Division’s website to learn more about Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Audits.

- Who conducts On-Farm Readiness Reviews? OFRRs are conducted jointly by the NCDA&CS Produce Safety Program and North Carolina State University Extension along with yourself. You are also welcome to invite anyone else you would like to join along. OFRRs are solely for the purpose of outreach and education, an OFRR is not an inspection or audit.

- What can I expect during an On-Farm Readiness Review? The OFRR begins with a discussion on what commodities are grown, harvested, packed, and held as well as produce safety practices, and farm procedures. Then, the team will view growing, harvesting, washing, packing, storing, and holding practices. It will conclude with feedback and the opportunity to request technical assistance regarding produce safety practices on your farm.

- What happens if a public health hazard is found on my farm during an On-Farm Readiness Review? In the rare instance that a serious condition is observed that could be considered egregious, or one that could create an imminent public health hazard if corrective action is not taken immediately, the regulator on the OFRR team will assess the situation to determine if any additional action is necessary in order to protect public health. The farmer will be engaged throughout this process and it is the intention of the program to immediately address any serious concerns on-site during the OFRR.

- What can I expect at a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course? The course will be a one-day lecture on farm food safety practices. You will have the opportunity to participate in discussions and ask questions. Then, you will be able to take the training manual home with you for reference.

-  Who should request/attend an On-Farm Readiness Review or Grower Training Course? Any farm that grows, harvests, packs, or holds produce commodities covered by the PSR is eligible to request an OFRR or attend a PSA Grower Training Course. It is recommended that at least one person from the farm complete the PSA Grower Training Course before scheduling an OFRR.

- What produce crops ARE covered by the Produce Safety Rule? Almonds, apples, apricots, apriums, Artichokes- globe-type, Asian pears, avocados, babacos, bananas, Belgian endive, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, brazil nuts, broad beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, burdock, cabbages, Chinese cabbages (Bok Choy, mustard, and Napa), cantaloupes, carambolas, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, chayote fruit, cherries (sweet), chestnuts, chicory (roots and tops), citrus (such as clementine, grapefruit, lemons, limes, mandarin, oranges, tangerines, tangors, and uniq fruit), cowpea beans, cress-garden, cucumbers, curly endive, currants, dandelion leaves, fennel-Florence, garlic, genip, gooseberries, grapes, green beans, guavas, herbs (such as basil, chives, cilantro, oregano, and parsley), honeydew, huckleberries, Jerusalem artichokes, kale, kiwifruit, kohlrabi, kumquats, leek, lettuce, lychees, macadamia nuts, mangos, other melons (such as Canary, Crenshaw and Persian), mulberries, mushrooms, mustard greens, nectarines, onions, papayas, parsnips, passion fruit, peaches, pears, peas, peas-pigeon, peppers (such as bell and hot), pine nuts, pineapples, plantains, plums, plumcots, quince, radishes, raspberries, rhubarb, rutabagas, scallions, shallots, snow peas, soursop, spinach, sprouts (such as alfalfa and mung bean), strawberries, summer squash (such as patty pan, yellow and zucchini), sweetsop, Swiss chard, taro, tomatoes, turmeric, turnips (roots and tops), walnuts, watercress, watermelons, and yams.

- What produce crops are NOT covered by the Produce Safety Rule? Asparagus; black beans, great Northern beans, kidney beans, lima beans, navy beans, and pinto beans; garden beets, (roots and tops) and sugar beets; cashews; sour cherries; chickpeas; cocoa beans; coffee beans; collards; sweet corn; cranberries; dates; dill (seeds and weed); eggplants; figs; ginger; horseradish; hazelnuts; lentils; okra; peanuts; pecans; peppermint; potatoes; pumpkins; winter squash; sweet potatoes; and water chestnuts.

- Why is the Produce Safety Rule important? According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, farms covered by the rule will be held to certain standards designed to reduce the presence of potentially dangerous bacteria in the food supply, with the ultimate goal of reducing the number of illnesses caused by contaminated produce.

Check out all of the PDFs linked below in the 'Documents' section of the website or reach out to us by phone or email to learn more!

Visit NC State Extension's NC Fresh Produce Safety website: https://ncfreshproducesafety.ces.ncsu.edu/.

Visit the Food Safety Resource Clearinghouse website and search for any food safety topics you may be interested in learning more about: https://foodsafetyclearinghouse.org/.