GAPS IS FOR EVERYONE

Deanna Baldwin, Program ManagerFood Quality Assurance

What is GAPS??

• Good Agricultural Practices for Food Safety– Written Food Safety Plan that addresses potential

contamination of crops– Implementation of Food Safety Plan– Documentation that plan is followed

• Most farmers are already following Good Agricultural Practices

• Many are not documenting their practices

Not required for GAPS

• Third party audit, unless required by buyer• Traceback, if direct marketing• Food Defense – complete fencing in of

property, etc. unless required by buyer• Potable water for all uses

CDC Data

• CDC “estimates” that each year roughly 1 out of 6 Americans (or 48 million people) gets sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from foodborne diseases.

• Consumers hear this information and panic• Reporting system for food borne illness has

improved significantly in the past 10 years• 2007 data from CDC – Total of 1,097 outbreaks

with 21,244 illnesses reported

CDC 2007 Data

• 235 outbreaks and 4,119 illnesses attributed to a single commodity

• 235 outbreaks and 5,699 illnesses attributed to a food vehicle containing more than one commodity

• 627 outbreaks and 11,426 illnesses attributed to unknown commodity

• Total of 53 outbreaks and 1,106 illnesses attributed to produce

CDC 2007 Produce Data• 3 outbreaks and 10 illnesses caused by mycotoxins and attributed

to fungi• 22 outbreaks and 590 illnesses caused by bacterial or viral

contamination and attributed to leafy greens• 3 outbreaks and 35 illnesses caused by bacterial or viral

contamination and attributed to root crops• 3 outbreaks and 59 illnesses caused by bacterial or viral

contamination and attributed to sprouts• 6 outbreaks and 155 illnesses caused by bacterial or viral

contamination and attributed to vine-stalk crops• 16 outbreaks and 257 illnesses caused by bacterial or viral

contamination and attributed to fruits or nuts

Summary of 2007 CDC data

• 57% of the total outbreaks were attributed to an unknown commodity

• 5% of the total outbreaks were attributed to produce

• 11% of the outbreaks attributed to a known vehicle were from produce

Outcomes of Data

• Major buyers of fruits and vegetables have begun requiring producers to be audited for compliance to Good Agricultural Practices standards

• Consumers are more aware of food safety practices• Outbreaks and illnesses caused by one or two bad

actors can kill the market for everyone• FDA has issued more guidance on the production of

fruits and vegetables (leafy green, tomato and melon specific)

Federal Legislation

• H.R. 2751 – FDA Food Safety Modernization Act has passed Congress

• Will enable FDA to more quickly determine cause of illness through trace back

• Authorizes FDA to mandate a recall• Requires the Secretary of Health and Human

Services to promulgate regulations for production of fresh fruits and vegetables within one year

Federal Legislation

• Exemption for Direct Farm Marketing– Average for three years of food sold by farm

directly to consumers is more than sold to other buyers and;

– Is less than $500,000 annually– Secretary of Health and Human Services can

revoke exemption if there is a problem

Federal Legislation

• Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services– To consult with Secretary of Agriculture and State

Departments of Agriculture– Provide flexibility for small businesses– Not conflict with the National Organic Program– Prioritize according to risk

Meeting FDA Requirements

• Written plan– Worker Hygiene

• Disease• Clean Hands

– Clean Surfaces• Bins and work surfaces• Equipment

– Clean Soil• Manure use• Wildlife

– Clean Water• Mitigate risk if not potable

• Documentation that plan is followed

Increased Consumer and Buyer Confidence

• Food borne illness linked to any Maryland producer will cause problems for other producers

• Food borne illness linked to any specific commodity will cause problems for other producers

• Able to assure consumers of the food safety practices you follow

• Buyers may want to review your plan or require an audit• Documentation that you are following a plan may allow

you to continue selling even during an outbreak

Reduced Liability

• Documentation that GAPS practices are being followed

• Indicates that the producer has gone beyond minimum requirements to provide a safe product

• MDA’s Egg Quality Assurance Program– Voluntary– Courts have determined that producers have done

everything they can to produce a safe product

Maryland Farm to School

• Maryland GAPS certification may be required in the future

• Not requiring a third party audit currently• Maryland school systems have federal money to

purchase fresh fruits and vegetables– Primary demand is for whole fruit– Contact Karen Fedor, MDA Marketing at 410-841-5770

or fedorkm@mda.state.md.us for more information

MDA/U of MD Joint Programs

• GAP training– Additional trainings are being planned– Specific topics depending on producers needs

• Publications on implementing a GAPS program• One to one assistance with plan writing– Donna Pahl, University of Maryland

dpahl@umd.edu301-405-4372Cell – 410-440-2047

MDA GAPs Program

• Intended to assist Direct Marketers with implementing a GAPs Program

• Program is voluntary– Must meet requirements to be certified

• Basic Food Safety Program for Farm• Existing audit/certification program requirements have been

simplified– USDA Audit requires a plan and audit for each commodity– Traceback

• Assist producers in becoming prepared for new FDA rules• Assist producers in meeting future requirements for selling

through Maryland Farm to School Program

MDA GAPs Program

• Voluntary Basic Program for Direct Marketers– Attend Training– Complete a self assessment

• U of MD Checklist• National GAPS Program Self Assessment

– Develop a written plan based on the assessment– MDA will conduct an on site evaluation to assist the

producer with improving their plan– MDA certification if site evaluation is passed– No fees for participating – using USDA specialty crop

grant money

MDA GAPs Program

• Essential as proof that you are following a Food Safety Plan

• Keeps you from relying on your memory• MDA inspectors will review documentation– You may have to show records to a buyer or regulatory

agency (FDA)• They provide proof of your good intent• Provide your best defense in a lawsuit• Gives you a record for review of your farm operation

USDA Audits

• MDA auditors qualified to conduct the USDA audit

• Requirement of buyers• Producers that pass the audit receive USDA

certification• Listed as certified on USDA’s website

Cost Share Assistance

• USDA Specialty Crop Money• USDA Audits – MDA required to charge federal

rate• Grant money is used to reimburse producers a

portion of these fees– First $400.00 of certification costs– 75% of costs over $400.00

Cost Share Assistance

• Implementation of GAP practices• MDA will announce application deadlines• Must specify the cost on application– MDA will evaluate for relevance to food safety– Determine how the available funds will be allocated to

producers• Producers will be notified of how much cost share

they will receive prior to purchase• Eligible items – anything that will improve food safety– Example – water treatment, hand washing station

GAPs Materials

• MDA is providing– Worker Hygiene Training videos– Hand Washing Signs– Toilet Use Signs

Questions??

• Contact InfoDeanna BaldwinMaryland Department of Agriculture50 Harry S. Truman ParkwayAnnapolis, MD 21401410-841-5769FAX 410-841-2750baldwiDL@mda.state.md.us