Safe Produce
Safe Produce program mission is to provide science-based research knowledge in food safety and good agricultural practices to educate and assist people with standards for growing, harvesting, packing, and holding fruits and vegetables safe for human consumption.
We are professionals knowledgeable in horticulture, food science, environmental science, and microbiology that combine to provide produce safety education and expertise for the benefit of the communities, economies, and people of Iowa.
Our program provides commercial farmers, home gardeners, and produce enthusiasts with education and technical assistance through in-class training, on-site technical assistance, and informative outreach programs to grow fruits and vegetables safe for human consumption.
Our educational programs focus on instruction in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) centered on the principles of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rule “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption” also known as “The Produce Safety Rule.”
On-Farm Technical Assistance and Readiness Review
We anticipate working with you to continue your produce safety education and encourage you to sign up for an on-site technical assistance visit or an On-farm Readiness Review (OFRR) through our email IowaFSMA@iastate.edu or call (515)294-2552.
Features
Farm to School Produce Safety Factsheets
USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FSN) website contains farm food and produce safety fact sheets available for viewing or download. Please select the Food Safety drop-down tab to view.
Farm to School Produce Safety Survey
USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FSN) survey results describing food safety concerns associated with fresh produce and farm to school activities.
Creating a Workplace Food Safety Culture
Produce Processing Magazine article describing approaches to improving food safety culture in the food and produce industry.