GlobalGAP has published a new guide for compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
The 'GlobalGAP User’s Guide and Self Assessment for FSMA Produce Safety Rule Compliance' supports Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) users in meeting Produce Safety Rule requirements – IFA is the most widely utilised good agricultural practice scheme for fresh produce in the world.
The GlobalGAP USA Crops National Technical Working Group prepared the Produce Rule implementation, conducting a detailed comparative analysis of GlobalGAP IFA V5.0-2 against the Produce Rule. The results showed GlobalGAP IFA certified producers meet the majority of Produce Rule requirements.
Where differences in approach and requirements were identified, GlobalGAP developed an explanation in the form of this Guide.
This includes a self assessment highlighting specific differences between GlobalGAP IFA coverage and the Produce Rule, which allows the IFA user to make the necessary adjustments to comply with the Produce Rule. The Guide provides an extra table that details exactly how IFA requirements address those in the Produce Rule.
Dr Kristian Moeller, chief executive of GlobalGAP, expressed his gratitude to the many individuals who contributed to this guide’s development.
“At GlobalGAP, we are committed to an inclusive process for developing our standards and guidelines,' he explained. 'We wish to thank the technical staff, National Technical Working Group members, producers, retailers and other stakeholders who contributed to the development of this guide over the past year. Your contributions of time and knowledge ensure that GlobalGAP reflects your needs, making IFA your standard.”
