NC Produce Safety Professionals Conference 2024

NC Produce Safety Professionals Conference 2024

FSMA PRODUCE SAFETY RULE (PSR) PRE-HARVEST WATER PROVISION REQUIREMENTS: ELEMENTS OF THE AGRICULTURAL WATER ASSESSMENT

This one day conference will provide a better understanding of the recently finalized Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) pre-harvest water provisions. In May, 2024, the FDA published the final revision of the pre-harvest water requirements which move away from required water testing to developing a systems-based agricultural water risk assessment (AgWA). To meet these requirements, growers are required to conduct an annual AgWA in order to identify potential microbial hazards that may impact their pre-harvest water and help them make risk-based decisions about how water can be used on their farms. Speakers will address different factors that need to be considered when conducting an FSMA PSR AgWA, including: the overall water system, agricultural water practices, crop characteristics, environmental conditions, and other relevant factors. Information gained through this conference will help growers and industry professionals better understand how to assess pre-harvest water quality on farms as well as management practices that reduce risks to the crops that they grow.

This conference will provide important information for growers, farm managers, farm food safety personnel, extension agents, produce buyers, farmers market managers, consultants, auditors, and other professionals that work directly with fresh produce growers.

* Attendance at this conference will meet continuing education requirements for USDA Harmonized GAP certification – please request a certificate of attendance.

Agenda Topics

• Overview of the Finalized FSMA PSR Pre-Harvest Water Provisions
• IFPA Industry Guidance for Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water
• Identification of Risks associated with Water Sources
• Risks Factors for Pre-Harvest Water Associated with Adjacent Land Use
• Crop Characteristics Leading to Pathogen Internalization or Adhesion
• Risks Posed to Pre-Harvest Water Sources from Extreme Weather Events
• Industry Perspective: Currently Practices, Challenges, and Pre-Harvest Water Requirements for Third-Party Audits
• Implementation: Where Do We Go From Here…??

Lunch will be provided

Registration fee

$25 includes lunch and coffee breaks.

Registration Deadline: December 8, 2024

For more information about this event, contact:

NC State Extenion Area Specialized Agents- Food Safety/ Fresh Produce

Elena Rogers at [email protected] or (828)352-2519

Dr. Chip Simmons at [email protected] or (919)414-5632

This event is organized by the North Carolina Produce Safety Task Force.

Our partners include:

NC State University

NC A&T University

NC Cooperative Extension

NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

NC Farm Bureau

Carolina Farm Stewardship

Host or Publisher Horticultural Science