New federal food safety rules are coming for farmers, handlers, and processors. Before the rules are finalized, it’s time for all small farmers – even if you think you are wholly or partly exempt – to tune in and weigh in!
Watch Now! Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Webinar
On October 3, U of I Extension, along with Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Illinois Farmers Market Association, and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition presented this webinar covering the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
Topics covered in the webinar included:
Introduction to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, local food systems and small farm educator, U of I Extension
- Preparing for FSMA: Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and On-Farm Food Safety Plans, James Theuri and Ellen Phillips, local food systems and small farm educators, U of I Extension
- In-depth Overview of FSMA (including Tester-Hagan Amendment and other local food and organic-related amendments), Wes King, interim executive director, Illinois Stewardship Alliance
- How to Get Involved: the Federal Register Comment Process and Resources for More Information, Sarah Hackney, grassroots director, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
- Q & A
FSMA is the first major overhaul to federal food safety laws since 1938. FSMA gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) broad new powers to prevent food safety problems, detect and respond to food safety issues, and improve the safety of imported foods.
It includes new regulations regarding the growing, harvesting, holding, and transporting of produce and in facilities that process food. This means it represents some big changes to our food system. Growers may be asking how the rules might affect their farm? Do the rules apply to them? Is their farm exempt?
U of I Extension provided this webinar and other GAPs training to help growers identify areas of high food contamination risk, particularly with infectious microbes, and prepares the growers to write a food safety plan.