The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule is a major overhaul of the Nation’s food safety practices. This rule is administered by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and includes mandatory regulations for farms that grow, harvest, pack, and hold produce.

The Iowa Produce Safety Program is a joint effort between the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and Iowa Statue University Extension and Outreach (ISUEO). The Iowa Produce Safety Program was established as part of a grant agreement with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The goal of this program is to provide education, outreach, and technical assistance on the Produce Safety Rule to Iowa’s fruit and vegetable growers.


Does the Produce Safety Rule apply to my farm?

Many fruit and vegetable farms in Iowa may be fully or partially exempt from these regulations based on how much food and produce they sell, and to who. To help understand how your farm may be covered or exempt under the Produce Safety Rule, complete the annual Iowa Produce Safety Survey. This document provides an overview of exemption and coverage under the Produce Safety Rule.

 

How can I better understand the requirements of the Produce Safety Rule?

  1. Grower Training

    This day-long course help fruit and vegetable farms better understand the regulations of the Produce Safety Rule and how it applies to their farm. This course meets the training requirement for fully covered farms under the rule. Upcoming grower trainings are listed below, and you may register here.

  • October 24 REMOTE (all day)
  1. On-Farm Readiness Review

    During an OFRR produce safety specialists will conduct a walkthrough of your farm to identify how the Produce Safety Rule may affect you. This free and voluntary program is meant to prepare you for an FDA inspection, even if you are not fully covered under the rule. To be eligible one person on the farm must have completed a grower training course, and the OFRR must be conducted during the growing or harvest season. Complete this form to request an OFRR.

 

Contact us

If you have additional questions, reach out to one of our IDALS Produce Safety Program staff.

Paul Ovrom, State Horticulturist and Bureau Chief

paul.ovrom@iowaagriculture.gov

515-242-6239

John Krzton-Presson, Program Planner

John.krzton-presson@iowaagriculture.gov

515-725-1179

 

Additional resources

ISU Extension and Outreach, Produce Safety
FDA FSMA Website
FDA Produce Safety Rule Website
FDA Compliance Category Flowchart for Farms