NJDA and Rutgers team up for food safety training

In the interest of food safety and public health, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and Rutgers University Cooperative Extension combine efforts to offer Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training required by the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, said Joe Atchison III, NJDA’s marketing and development division director.

As of last fall, more than 700 people had attended 22 PSA grower training classes.

PSR inspections are mandatory for all covered farms growing covered produce, he said.

“Inspectors evaluate the entire farm operation and all commodities grown, with the focus on preventing contamination of produce with micro-organisms of public health significance,” Atchison said.

NJDA and Rutgers also provide Good Agricultural Practices and Harmonized GAP training courses as well as specialized training, such as food safety training for specific crops, he said.

Growers can take the audit courses to help prepare for USDA food safety audits. They receive certificates for passing the audits, which are required by many wholesale produce buyers.

Audits differ from PSR inspections in that they are focused on a particular commodity and evaluate the farming practices or packinghouse, and sometimes both, Atchison said.