GAPS IS FOR EVERYONE

1. GAPS IS FOR EVERYONE Deanna Baldwin, Program Manager Food Quality Assurance

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. • Consumers hear this information and panic • 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. CDC 2007 Data • 235 outbreaks and 4,119 illnesses attributed to a single commodity • 235 outbreaks and 5,699 illnesses attributed to a food vehicle containing more than one commodity • 627 outbreaks and 11,426 illnesses attributed to unknown commodity • Total of 53 outbreaks and 1,106 illnesses attributed to produce

6. CDC 2007 Produce Data • 3 outbreaks and 10 illnesses caused by mycotoxins and attributed to fungi • 22 outbreaks and 590 illnesses caused by bacterial or viral contamination and attributed to leafy greens • 3 outbreaks and 35 illnesses caused by bacterial or viral contamination and attributed to root crops • 3 outbreaks and 59 illnesses caused by bacterial or viral contamination and attributed to sprouts • 6 outbreaks and 155 illnesses caused by bacterial or viral contamination and attributed to vine-stalk crops • 16 outbreaks and 257 illnesses caused by bacterial or viral contamination and attributed to fruits or nuts

7. 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

8. Outcomes of Data • Major buyers of fruits and vegetables have begun requiring producers to be audited for compliance to Good Agricultural Practices standards • Consumers are more aware of food safety practices • Outbreaks and illnesses caused by one or two bad actors can kill the market for everyone • FDA has issued more guidance on the production of fruits and vegetables (leafy green, tomato and melon specific)

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Increased Consumer and Buyer Confidence • Food borne illness linked to any Maryland producer will cause problems for other producers • Food borne illness linked to any specific commodity will cause problems for other producers • Able to assure consumers of the food safety practices you follow • Buyers may want to review your plan or require an audit • Documentation that you are following a plan may allow you to continue selling even during an outbreak

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. MDA GAPs Program • Intended to assist Direct Marketers with implementing a GAPs Program • Program is voluntary • Must meet requirements to be certified • Basic Food Safety Program for Farm • Existing audit/certification program requirements have been simplified • USDA Audit requires a plan and audit for each commodity • Traceback • Assist producers in becoming prepared for new FDA rules • Assist producers in meeting future requirements for selling through Maryland Farm to School Program

18. MDA GAPs Program • Voluntary Basic Program for Direct Marketers • Attend Training • Complete a self assessment • U of MD Checklist • National GAPS Program 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 • MDA certification if site evaluation is passed • No fees for participating – using USDA specialty crop grant money

19. MDA GAPs Program • Essential as proof that you are following a Food Safety Plan • Keeps you from relying on your memory • MDA inspectors will review documentation • You may have to show records to a buyer or regulatory agency (FDA) • They provide proof of your good intent • Provide your best defense in a lawsuit • Gives you a record for review of your farm operation

20. 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

21. 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 • First $400.00 of certification costs • 75% of costs over $400.00

22. 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

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

24. 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