All posts in food safety

FSMA Inspection Case Study: CDFA FSMA PSP Inspector
This interview is part of our Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) case study series. In earlier case studies we interviewed other farmers and they talked about food safety practices they complete to minimize their food safety risks and be in

FSMA Inspection Case Study: New Natives Farm
Key Details: Location: California Central Coast Main Crop(s): Microgreens FSMA PSR Inspection: 1/7/2020 3rd Party Audit(s): USDA Harmonized GAP/GMP Certified Organic by National Organic Program: Yes Owners: Ken and Sandra Kimes New Natives Farm was started in 1980. Today their

Food Safety Plan Resources – English
You can find our English food safety plan template and corresponding resources on this webpage. Resources are available in free word documents to download or as google docs that you can copy to your google drive. FOOD SAFETY PLANS ENGLISH

PC Rule Supplier Verification Guide
Are you part of a food hub and confused about what Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) food safety requirements you need to require from farmers you source from? Or, are you a farmer that sells to a food hub and

Small Farm FSMA Series Post 4 of 4
SMALL FARM FSMA SERIES – POST 4 of 4 Author: Stepheni Norton, Regional Food Safety Specialist FSMA is serious business, so we have a few disclaimers before we dig in. Advice provided here is general in good farm practice and

Food Safety Plan Templates in Spanish
CAFF’s free food safety plan templates for small farmers are now available in Spanish. The templates can be used by farmers that need to be in compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and those looking to implement

Plantillas de Planes de Inocuidad Alimentaria en Español
Las plantillas gratuitas del plan de seguridad alimentaria de CAFF para pequeños agricultores ya están disponibles en español. Las plantillas pueden ser utilizadas por los agricultores que necesitan cumplir con la Ley federal de Modernización de la Seguridad Alimentaria (FSMA)

NOP/FSMA/3rd Party Audit Food Safety Guide
This guide provides charts that give a side-by-side comparison of the similarities and differences between the requirements of the National Organic Program, Food Safety Modernization Act, and 3rd Party Food Safety Audits. For example, if you’re wondering what each program

Plantillas de Planes de Inocuidad Alimentaria Actualizadas en Español
La plantilla gratuita del plan de inocuidad alimentaria de CAFF para pequeños agricultores ha sido actualizada recientemente. La plantilla está orientada a los agricultores que necesitan cumplir con la Ley Federal de Modernización de la Inocuidad de los Alimentos. La

PC Rule Guide for Food Hubs and Values-Based Buyers
FSMA Supplier Verification Demystified The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is composed of seven main rules or sections. Th common name of one of those sections is the PC or Preventive Controls Rule. That rule applies to facilities such as

Small Farm FSMA Series Post 3 of 4
Author: Stepheni Norton, San Diego Regional Food Safety Specialist FSMA is serious business, so we have a few disclaimers before we dig in. Advice provided here is meant for QUALIFIED EXEMPT FARMS If you need help determining your status, read

Worker Health & Hygiene: FSMA & NOP
This factsheet explains what farms that need to be in full compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) need to do to be in compliance with worker health and hygiene requirements. There is also an overview of what

Wild & Domestic Animals: FSMA & NOP
This factsheet provides an overview of what farms that need to be in full compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) need to do to meet wild and domestic animal requirements. In addition, an overview of wild and

Monitoring Animals: FSMA & NOP
This factsheet provides an overview of what a farm that needs to be in full compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) needs to do in regards to monitoring for animal contamination. There is also an overview of

Land Use: FSMA & NOP
This factsheet provides an overview of what farms that need to be in full compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) need to do in regards to their land use. An overview of what the National Organic Program

Soil Amendments from Animals: FSMA & NOP
This factsheet explains what farms that need to be in full compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) need to do with their soil amendments of animal origin to be in compliance. The factsheet also provides an overview

Written Plans: FSMA & NOP
This factsheet discusses an overview of what farms need to have for a written food safety plan if their need to be in full compliance with FSMA. There is also an overview of the written plan requirements are for the

Recordkeeping: FSMA & NOP
This factsheet explains the records farms that need to be in full compliance with FSMA must have and compares those vs. what records are required for the national organic program (NOP). Download the PDF here.

FSMA 101 vs. Organic Regulations
This factsheet provides an overview of the three farm categories within the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and relates that food safety regulation to the national organic program (NOP) requirements. Download the pdf here.

New FDA Guidance on FSMA Qualified Exempt Requirements During Covid
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released temporary guidance on the requirements that farms must meet to be considered qualified exempt under the Federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This is important for small farms to be aware of

Farm Tough First Aid Kit
Most standard first aid kits you can buy do not come with supplies that are tough enough to withstand farming activities. CAFF created this Farm Tough First Aid Kit resource that guides you through curating a first aid kit that

On-Farm Food Safety Webinar
On 4/8/20 CAFF gave a webinar answering dozens of questions on on-farm food safety related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Judith Redmond from Full Belly Farm shared some tips and other info on how their farm is adapting during this challenging

New CAFF Resource: How to Run CSA Pick Up Sites during COVID-19
CAFF has created a new resource for farmers that have Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) pick up locations. The guide has tips for farmers and a sign that farmers could post at pick up locations and/or share electronically with CSA members.

On-Farm COVID-19 Food Safety Info & FAQs
By: Kali Feiereisel, MPH Senior Manager, Farmer Services Last updated: April 7th, 2020 We realize this is a time of great uncertainty and anxiety. Hopefully this blog post can provide some tangible information to help answer some of your

Small Farm FSMA Series – Part 2 of 4
Not Covered ≠ No Paperwork By: Stepheni Norton, San Diego Regional Food Safety Specialist Last Updated: March 19th, 2020 Basic record keeping to prove you’re not covered farm status. FSMA is serious business, so we have a few disclaimers before

Small Farm FSMA Series – Part 1 of 4
The 1 Thing Every Farm Must Do By: Stepheni Norton, San Diego Regional Food Safety Specialist Last Updated March 19th, 2020 Regardless of size, every farm must perform a self-assessment to determine their Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) status. So,

FSMA Produce Safety Rule Inspection Updates
Looking to learn more about when and how Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Inspections will happen in California? Read this blog post to learn about the current timeline of California FSMA Inspections on large, small, and very small

Value-Added Products Regulatory Overview
Farms and food businesses processing foods into value-added products such as tomato sauce, salsa, and hot sauce need to be aware of the various state and federal food safety regulations one needs to follow to be in compliance. This resource

Processed Food Registration Permit
Interested in preserving fresh farm crops into tomato sauce, pickles, and other canned products? In California you need to be aware of value-added product food safety regulations affiliated with these products. Learn more about the Processed Food Registration Permit by

Cannery License Program
Farmers and food business makers processing raw agricultural products into shelf stable canned products may need to be in compliance with the California Cannery License Program. We have a pdf resource explaining more about the program as well as a

FSMA Diagrama de flujo Español
¿Me afectan Las Nuevas Normas de INOCUIDAD ALIMENTARIA según el ACTA DE MODERNIZACIÓN DE INOCUIDAD ALIMENTARIA? Un Diagrama de Flujo para Agricultores y Empresas de Alimentos.

Farming with Food Safety and Conservation
Food-borne illness linked to pathogens in meat, processed food, and produce has led to increased attention to food safety issues at all points along the supply chain, including the farm. Farmers can produce safe food without sacrificing responsible on-farm conservation

FAQ: Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
New NSAC Food Safety Modernization Act Resource: Food Safety Training Requirements for Produce Farms If my farm is fully subject to FSMA do I need to schedule an inspection? No. If your farm does not qualify for any of the full or

Post-harvest Resources
Postharvest Area Design: Ideal Wash & Pack Facility Layout – This resource created by Cornell University reviews important concepts and best practices that can applied to all sorts of postharvest farm situations. Floors for Vegetable Storage, Wash, and Pack – This University
Requirements for Farms that Must Fully Comply with FSMA: Part 2
Organic agricultural professionals are invited to join the CCOF Foundation and Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) for a series of webinars on how the new federal food safety regulations intersect with organic regulations. This, the third webinar in the

Co-management & Food Safety
Co-management on-farm involves balancing food safety practices with preservation of biodiversity, which allows growers to produce safe food while maintaining habitat and protecting soil and water quality. Learn more in the resources below: New CAFF & Wild Farm Alliance 2017
Webinar: Does FSMA apply to your Farm?
*Update 12/5/17* The slide with FSMA full exemptions mentions that farms with less than $25,000 in annual produce sales are fully exemption from FSMA. This is correct. We may not have emphasized this point enough in the webinar and wanted