Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule
The rule focuses on the growing, harvesting, packing and holding of produce and is very similar to the requirements of USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification. This is the first time there have been federal governmental regulations in this area. EVERY producer that is covered by FSMA will need to attend a certified one-day FSMA training (regardless if you have GAP or other certifications, have been to other trainings, etc). FSMA does NOT require a full on-farm food safety plan or an audit/inspection; rather those covered by FSMA will need to follow the food safety practices and testing required by FSMA. If there is a food borne disease outbreak associated with your farm, you will no longer be exempt from the rule. Any processing of produce beyond washing and normal harvesting (such as chopping, peeling, or roasting) would be covered by the Preventive Controls rule.
Annual Supervisor Training
Attendance at a training webinar or in-person training will result in a certificate of attendance. Please contact Katelynn Stull (kjstull@ksu.edu) for information.
- FSMA Annual Training for Supervisors - updated March 25, 2024
Understanding the Coverage and Exemptions
- Produce Safety Rule Coverage - Kansas State University
- Coverage and Exemptions Webinar - Kansas State University
Transcript - Farm Status Questionnaire - Food and Drug Administration
Produce Safety Rule General Information
- Pre-Inspection Checklist - Minnesota Department of Agriculture
- Extension Legal Services Initiative - NECAFS
- FDA Guidance - Food and Drug Administration
- Compliance Dates - Produce Safety Alliance
- Key Requirements - Food and Drug Administration
- Overview of FDA Draft Guidance - Michigan State University
- Produce Safety Alliance - Cornell University
- North Central Region FSMA Center - Iowa State University
- Produce Inspections - Regulators Virtual Produce Tour
- On-Farm Readiness Reviews - NASDA
Are there any exemptions of who will be covered by this rule?
- Qualified Exemption Worksheet (Fillable) 2023 - Kansas State University
- Annual Exclusion Worksheet (Fillable) 2023 - Kansas State University
- Processing Exemption - Missouri Department of Agriculture
Have a FSMA Question?
The Technical Assistance Network (TAN) is a central source of information for questions related to the FSMA Rules, programs, and implementation strategies.
- FSMA Technical Assistance Network - Food and Drug Administration
Small Farm Practical Guide
- FSMA Produce Safety - National Young Farmers Coalition
- Small Farm Guidance Guide - Food and Drug Administration
Worker Training Compliance Guide
- Compliance Guide Working Training - Kansas State University
Cleaning Compliance Guide
- Compliance Guide Cleaning & Sanitation - Kansas State University
Visitor Compliance Guide
- Compliance Guide Visitors - Kansas State University
- Visitor Logbook - Kansas State University
Soil Amendment Compliance Guide
- Compliance Guide Soil Amendments - Kansas State University
Performing a Risk Assessment
- Pre-Harvest Checklist - Kansas State University
- Pocket Guide - Kansas State University
- Farm Food Safety Decision Tree - Cornell University
Water Requirements
- Proposed Agricultural Water Requirements Guidance - Kansas State University
- Agricultural Water for Production Decision Tree - Cornell University
- Water Testing Methods - Food and Drug Administration
- Understanding FSMA Water Standards - Produce Safety Alliance
- GM/STV Excel Tool - Western Center for Food Safety
- GM/STV Online Calculator - University of Arizona
Templates for Record Requirements
- Records Required- Produce Safety Alliance
- Records Templates - Missouri Department of Agriculture
What are the main differences between FSMA and GAPs?
USDA GAP certification (or other food safety certifications such as Primus) are not required by governmental regulations, but may be required by a buyer. Please refer to the comparison of GAPs and FSMA. Please note that this is our current understanding of the situation.
Funding for this website and the listed workshops are made possible in part by grant KS5895 from the FDA. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the FDA.
