Wisconsin Ag Department to Begin Inspecting Produce Farms
Thursday, February 21st, 2019 -- 8:58 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -Through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture will begin inspecting produce farms for compliance with federal food safety regulations this year.The inspections are part of the FDA Food Safety and Modernization Act's Produce Safety Rule to better protect public health by focusing food safety efforts on prevention of foodborne illnesses. While inspections for large produce farms will begin this year, inspections for smaller produce farms will start in 2020. Meanwhile, growers with annual produce sales of more than $500,000 were required to complete a special training course prior to last year's growing season.
Those who sell between $250,000 to $500,000 must take the course before the 2019 season. All other producers will need to complete the training by 2020. Throughout the implementation, DATCP will continue to provide education and training to help produce growers implement nationally standardized food safety practices.
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