Guide to Identifying Food Safety Hazards in Greenhouse Systems

Added by Sean Fogarty • Last updated September 22, 2022
Author: Amber Vallotton, Laura K. Strawn, Joyce Latimer
Type: Add-on / Supplemental Educational Material, Fact Sheets
Topic: General (PSR), Produce Safety Rule (PSR), Worker Health, Hygiene & Training, Wildlife, Domestic Animals & Land Use, Ag Water (Preharvest), Ag Water (Postharvest), Postharvest Handling & Sanitation, Food Safety Plans
State: VA
Language: English

According to the United States Department of Agriculture 2012 Census of Agriculture, sales from greenhouse-grown food crops equaled around $800 million in the U.S. Crops grown included tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, peppers, and berries, with hydroponic production operations making up about 64% of the total production (cwt) (USDA Census of Agriculture, 2012). Demand for greenhouse-grown produce continues to increase, providing growers with unique opportunities to tap into this expanding market. Although greenhouse systems provide a more protected environment than field-grown systems, it is important to understand the unique food safety risks and possible sources of contamination when growing produce in these systems. Identifying food safety hazards are necessary to implementing practices that reduce the risk of contamination during the pre-plant, production, harvest, and post-harvest handling stages. Use this checklist to guide you in asking important questions targeting possible risks at each of the greenhouse system stages.

 


 


Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Website
Added by Elizabeth Newbold • Last updated October 12, 2022
Topic: General (PSR); Produce Safety Rule (PSR); Worker Health, Hygiene & Training; Soil Amendments; Wildlife, Domestic Animals & Land Use; Ag Water (Preharvest); Ag Water (Postharvest); Postharvest Handling & Sanitation; Food Safety Plans
Socrates Trujillo - US FDA
Added by Socrates Trujillo • Last updated February 11, 2020
Type: People
Topic: General (PSR); Produce Safety Rule (PSR); Worker Health, Hygiene & Training; Soil Amendments; Wildlife, Domestic Animals & Land Use; Ag Water (Preharvest); Ag Water (Postharvest); Postharvest Handling & Sanitation; Food Safety Plans; Record Keeping
State: MD
Lynn Nakamura-tengan - University of Hawaii at Manoa
Added by Lynn Nakamura-Tengan • Last updated February 11, 2020
Type: People
Topic: General (PSR); Produce Safety Rule (PSR); Worker Health, Hygiene & Training; Soil Amendments; Wildlife, Domestic Animals & Land Use; Ag Water (Preharvest); Ag Water (Postharvest); Postharvest Handling & Sanitation; Food Safety Plans; Record Keeping
State: HI