FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule

• The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule establishes, for the first time, science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. The rule is part of the FDA’s ongoing efforts to implement the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. The final rule went into effect January 26, 2016.  The FDA has developed numerous resources to explain the Produce Safety Rule requirements and address common questions related to the rule. 
• Final rule and other guidance documents can be found here:
  • FSMA Final Rule on Produce Safety 
    • In Spanish (PDF 438 KB)
    • In Portuguese (PDF 543 KB)
    • In Chinese (PDF 1.3 MB)
    • In Korean (PDF 842 KB)
    • In Japanese (PDF 670 KB)
• An Overview of the Food Safety Modernization Act (UCCE Santa Clara Publication 106, December 2019) (PDF 142 KB)
  • Food Safety Records binder cover (UCCE Santa Clara Small Farm Program) (PDF 150 KB)
  • Food Safety Records spine label (UCCE Santa Clara Small Farm Program) (PDF 105 KB)
  • Food Safety Records table of contents (UCCE Santa Clara Small Farm Program) (PDF 202 KB)
• Understanding FSMA: The Produce Safety Rule Discussion of farming activities and produce covered in the Produce Safety Rule under the Food Modernization Act (FSMA), key requirements, possible exemptions, and deadlines for compliance. 
  • (In Spanish)
• Records required by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule (PSA, PDF 444 KB) There are many different types of records that are required by the produce safety rule.  This document prepared by the Produce Safety Alliance outlines all the types of records you are required to keep to be compliant with the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.  There are also example records that can be utilized.
• Dropped Covered Produce (FDA Fact Sheet, August 1, 2019) (PDF 125 KB)
• Dropped Covered Produce - Spanish (FDA Fact Sheet, August 1, 2019) (PDF 136 KB)
• Farmer Questionnaire for Small and Very Small Farms (CDFA) Letter and Questionnaire in English and Spanish
• "Rarely Consumed Raw" - (FDA Fact Sheet) (PDF 160 KB)
• FDA updates FSMA FAQ to include questions and answers on Produce Safety
• Draft Guidance for Industry: Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption (FDA)
• Fact Sheets - Final Rule: Standards for Produce Safety - Coverage and Exemptions/Exclusions for 21 PART 112 (FDA, PDF 56 KB)
• Tips for Farmers Preparing for FSMA PSR Inspections (Community Alliance with Family Farmers; see Tips section near bottom of page)