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July 29, 2019
Hello Produce Safety Alliance Members:
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We are pleased to announce the availability of Version 1.2 of the English Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Curriculum. Read more in this newsletter about availability of the new manuals and policies regarding use of Version 1.1, along with a few other industry and collaborator announcements.
The PSA Team
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Version 1.2 of the PSA Grower Training Manual
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In the spring of 2019, the Produce Safety Alliance began to make updates to Version 1.1 of the Grower Training curriculum to reflect the extension of agricultural water (Subpart E) compliance dates and equivalent water testing methodologies. In addition, minor edits were made to other modules to correct grammar, formatting, and content related issues. After review by FDA Division of Produce Safety staff, Version 1.2 is available
in print
and for
download electronically
. Version 1.2 is currently only available in English, though the Spanish version will be coming soon.
Version 1.1 Can Still Be Used
PSA Trainers may continue to use Version 1.1. Version 1.1 will remain available for purchase upon special request from the
bookstore
for those who may need additional copies to use up their current supplies (i.e., a PSA Trainer has 15 remaining V 1.1 copies but needs 3 more for their class of 18 people).
If using the Version 1.1 Manuals, the following updates
must
be covered during the PSA Grower Training Course:
- Present slides that include the updates & FDA Announcements Regarding Agricultural Water (PowerPoint)
- Provide handout of the slides and notes to attendees (Printable PDF with Notes)
- Provide the Critical Edits sheet to PSA Grower Training attendees so that they are aware of the changes.
These updates are not required if Version 1.2 Manuals are used for the course. This policy will remain active until a new version is released. At this time, there is no established timeline for updating the curriculum beyond Version 1.2. Updates will be considered upon release of additional FDA guidance or policy developments that may impact the content of the curriculum. For winter 2020 trainings, please plan to utilize Version 1.2 of the curriculum unless you are able to meet the requirements above for use of Version 1.1.
For additional questions regarding Version 1.2 of the curriculum or if you need access to the printed electronic documents for Version 1.1, contact
Gretchen Wall
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PSA Special Session Hosted at IAFP – Louisville, KY
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The PSA hosted a well attended session on Monday, July 22, 2019 at the annual International Association for Food Protection Meeting in Louisville, KY. Updates were provided on training progress, new educational materials and outreach initiatives, FDA's current education and outreach activities for the Produce Safety Rule, and PSA's goals moving forward. The session concluded with a panel to discuss challenges faced by State Produce Implementation Cooperative Agreement Programs in working towards produce safety education and implementation. A special thanks to
Mr. Michael Botelho (MA), Ms. Kristin Esch (MI), and Ms. Teressa Lopez (AZ) for sharing their experiences and perspectives in developing and managing their state CAP programs.
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United Fresh Produce Association
Harmonized GAP Technical Working Group
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The United Fresh Produce Association is looking for a diverse group of producer, buyer, and other industry stakeholder volunteers to join their Harmonized GAP Technical Working Group. The purpose of this group is to identify additions and revisions to strengthen the current food safety standard, and to ultimately further the standard’s mission to reduce producer audit fatigue. The Technical Working Group will meet in Washington, DC on September 18-19.
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Call for Abstracts - 2020 Urban Food Systems Symposium
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Abstracts for the
Urban Food Systems Symposium
(UFSS) set for June 4 - 6, 2020 in Kansas City, MO, are now being accepted. The abstract submission deadline is 5 p.m. CST, November 1, 2019.
The symposium brings together researchers, not-for-profit administrators, community organizers, extension professionals, students, and others to share and gain knowledge on urban food systems and agriculture and their role in global food security. The focus of the meeting is on climate change, nutrition and human health, food production and distribution in cities, urban planning and development, food security, food policy and advocacy, international perspectives, community engagement, and urban planning and economic development. UFSS 2020 is hosted by Kansas State University.
Abstracts related to food/produce safety and urban food production are welcome!
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FDA & North Central Region BSAAO Workshop
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FDA, in conjunction with the North Central Regional Center, will be hosting a BSAAO Workshop, in Altoona, Iowa on September 11-12, 2019.
Although the workshop is now filled, you may contact FDA to express interest in co-hosting a future workshop by e-mailing
ProduceSafetyNetwork@fda.hhs.gov
.
During the workshop, attendees will hear about:
- the Produce Safety Rule and draft guidance, in order to better understand the current regulatory framework and requirements associated with the use of Biological Soil Amendments of Animal Origin (BSAAO);
- the status of BSAAO Risk Assessment and associated research;
- Regulator, industry, and academic perspectives on the challenges related to implementation of Subpart F, and alternative methods and validation.
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in interactive discussions and exercises to illustrate the concepts and practical approaches in identifying best practices, challenges and methods validation. The workshop content will be of interest to growers, composters, regulators, academia, and cooperative extension.
The PSA is not directly involved in the development or facilitation of this workshop. For additional information or questions, please contact
ProduceSafetyNetwork@fda.hhs.gov
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