food safety modernization act

What is the Food Safety Modernization Act?

In September 2016, the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) received a five-year grant and cooperative agreement from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.

As part of this agreement, the AZDA is tasked with providing statewide training and outreach on the Produce Safety Rule. This includes conducting Produce Safety Alliance - Produce Safety Rule Grower Training. To register for these training sessions, click [here](link is external). Additionally, our training staff will offer one-on-one consultations during On-Farm Readiness Reviews to help farms understand and comply with the Produce Safety Rule.

Beyond training and outreach, the cooperative agreement also covers regulatory oversight and compliance. AZDA has been granted legislative authority to enforce these regulations, and Arizona farmers have selected AZDA inspectors to ensure compliance.

Regulation Resources:

For a quick reference to the FSMA - Produce Safety Rule, please see the FSMA Overview.

The seven major FSMA regulations include:

1. Produce Safety Rule - Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, & Holding of Produce for Human Consumption
2. Preventive Controls for Human Foods
3. Preventive Controls for Animals
4. Foreign Supplier Verification Programs
5. Third Party Accreditation
6. Mitigation of Intentional Adulteration
7. Sanitary Transportation

FSMA Produce Safety Rule Information

Produce Safety Regulations

Both Arizona state law and federal law establish minimum standards for the growing, harvesting, packaging, and storage of fresh fruits and vegetables intended for human consumption. The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) has been conducting scheduled inspections in compliance with these standards since 2019.

FDA Guidance Regulation FSMA Compliance Dates

Produce includes fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, sprouts, tree nuts, and herbs.

To determine if your farm is subject to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule regulations, please refer to the following guidelines:

• Personal Use: Produce grown solely for personal on-farm consumption is not subject to federal produce safety regulations.
• Rarely Consumed Raw: Produce classified by the FDA as "rarely consumed raw" is exempt from the Rule. Find the FDA’s definition of "rarely consumed raw"
• Qualified Exemption: Farms with an average annual food sales of less than $500,000 over the past three years, where most food is sold directly to qualified end-users, may qualify for a qualified exemption.
• Rule Coverage: Farms with average annual produce sales exceeding $25,000 over the past three years are covered by the Rule.
• Commercial Processing: Produce intended for commercial processing that effectively reduces harmful microorganisms may be eligible for an exemption.