Training is an integral centerpiece to the FDA culture change of “educate before and while you regulate.” The FSMA Produce Safety Rule (PSR) stipulates the following training requirements.
21CFR§112.21 All of the following requirements apply regarding qualifications and training for personnel who handle (contact) covered produce or food contact surfaces:
(a) All personnel (including temporary, part time, seasonal, and contracted personnel) who handle covered produce or food contact surfaces, or who are engaged in the supervision thereof, must receive adequate training, as appropriate to the person's duties, upon hiring, and periodically thereafter, at least once annually.
With these pieces in mind, MSU Extension created a supervisor food safety training necessary to demonstrate competency “as appropriate to the person’s duties” for supervisors and other job classifications as defined by industry.
This three week online training is designed to help on-farm produce safety supervisors learn more about the requirements of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to use relevant resources to reduce their farm’s food safety risks.
The supervisor training covers rudimentary microbiology, basic hygiene, hygienic design of equipment, water, wildlife scouting, manure, worker training and emergency recognition and response. The focus is on practical application of the Produce Safety Rule on farm specifically from the supervisor’s perspective. It answers the question, “What do I have to do?”
At the end of the course, on-farm produce safety supervisors have a better understanding of the basic requirements under FSMA that fall within their job responsibilities. They are also better equipped to identify food safety risks in their daily work, and they leave the course with actionable plans for better skill-based employee trainings and emergency response measures for their farm. All participants receive a certificate of completion for participating, with those achieving 90% or higher on quizzes receiving a certificate of mastery.