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GAPS IS FOR EVERYONE

GAPS IS FOR EVERYONE. What is GAPS??. Good Agricultural Practices for Food Safety Written Food Safety Plan that addresses potential contamination of crops Implementation of Food Safety Plan Documentation that plan is followed Most farmers are already following Good Agricultural Practices

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GAPS IS FOR EVERYONE

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  1. GAPS IS FOR EVERYONE

  2. What is GAPS?? • Good Agricultural Practices for Food Safety • Written Food Safety Plan that addresses potential contamination of crops • Implementation of Food Safety Plan • Documentation that plan is followed • Most farmers are already following Good Agricultural Practices • Many are not documenting their practices

  3. Not required for GAPS • Third party audit, unless required by buyer • Traceback, if direct marketing • Food Defense – complete fencing in of property, etc. unless required by buyer • Potable water for all uses

  4. CDC Data • CDC “estimates” that each year roughly 1 out of 6 Americans (or 48 million people) gets sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from foodborne diseases. • Reporting system for food borne illness has improved significantly in the past 10 years • 2007 data from CDC – Total of 1,097 outbreaks with 21,244 illnesses reported

  5. Summary of 2007 CDC data • 57% of the total outbreaks were attributed to an unknown commodity • 5% of the total outbreaks were attributed to produce • 11% of the outbreaks attributed to a known vehicle were from produce

  6. Outcomes of Data • Major buyers of fruits and vegetables have begun requiring producers to be audited for compliance to Good Agricultural Practices standards • Outbreaks and illnesses caused by one or two bad actors can kill the market for everyone

  7. Federal Legislation • H.R. 2751 – FDA Food Safety Modernization Act has passed Congress • Will enable FDA to more quickly determine cause of illness through trace back • Authorizes FDA to mandate a recall • Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate regulations for production of fresh fruits and vegetables within one year

  8. Federal Legislation • Exemption for Direct Farm Marketing • Average for three years of food sold by farm directly to consumers is more than sold to other buyers and; • Is less than $500,000 annually • Secretary of Health and Human Services can revoke exemption if there is a problem

  9. Federal Legislation • Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services • To consult with Secretary of Agriculture and State Departments of Agriculture • Provide flexibility for small businesses • Not conflict with the National Organic Program • Prioritize according to risk

  10. Meeting FDA Requirements • Written plan • Worker Hygiene • Disease • Clean Hands • Clean Surfaces • Bins and work surfaces • Equipment • Clean Soil • Manure use • Wildlife • Clean Water • Mitigate risk if not potable • Documentation that plan is followed

  11. Reduced Liability • Documentation that GAPS practices are being followed • Indicates that the producer has gone beyond minimum requirements to provide a safe product • MDA’s Egg Quality Assurance Program • Voluntary • Courts have determined that producers have done everything they can to produce a safe product

  12. Maryland Farm to School • Maryland GAPS certification may be required in the future • Not requiring a third party audit currently • Maryland school systems have federal money to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables • Primary demand is for whole fruit • Contact Karen Fedor, MDA Marketing at 410-841-5770 or fedorkm@mda.state.md.us for more information

  13. MDA and University of MDGAPs Assistance for Producers

  14. MDA/U of MD Joint Programs • GAP training • Additional trainings are being planned • Specific topics depending on producers needs • Publications on implementing a GAPS program • One to one assistance with plan writing • Donna Pahl, University of Maryland dpahl@umd.edu 301-405-4372 Cell – 410-440-2047

  15. MDA GAPs Program • Voluntary Basic Program for Direct Marketers • Attend Training • Complete a self assessment • Develop a written plan based on the assessment • MDA will conduct an on site evaluation to assist the producer with improving their plan • Will receive certification • No fees for participating – using USDA specialty crop grant money

  16. MDA GAPs Program • Water Use • Testing required – two standards – potable and recreational • If non potable, how do you mitigate risk • Manure Use • Applied at least 90 days prior to harvest of crop that doesn’t touch the ground • Applied at least 120 days prior to harvest of crop that does touch the ground • Worker Hygiene • Home toilet facilities acceptable if easily accessible • Wildlife • Hard to exclude • Not harvesting from contaminated areas

  17. MDA GAPs Program • Intended to assist producers with implementing a GAPs Program • Program is not regulatory in nature • Compliance easier than audit/certification programs • Assist producers in becoming prepared for new FDA rules • Assist producers in meeting future requirements for selling through Maryland Farm to School Program

  18. USDA Audits • MDA auditors qualified to conduct the USDA audit • Requirement of buyers • Producers that pass the audit receive USDA certification • Listed as certified on USDA’s website

  19. Cost Share Assistance • USDA Specialty Crop Money • USDA Audits – MDA required to charge federal rate • Grant money is used to reimburse producers a portion of these fees

  20. Cost Share Assistance • Implementation of GAP practices • MDA will announce application deadlines • Must specify the cost on application • MDA will evaluate for relevance to food safety • Determine how the available funds will be allocated to producers • Producers will be notified of how much cost share they will receive prior to purchase • Eligible items – anything that will improve food safety • Example – water treatment, hand washing station

  21. GAPs Materials • MDA is providing • Worker Hygiene Training videos • Hand Washing Signs • Toilet Use Signs

  22. Questions?? • Contact Info Deanna Baldwin Maryland Department of Agriculture 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway Annapolis, MD 21401 410-841-5769 FAX 410-841-2750 baldwiDL@mda.state.md.us

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