Path C Enhancing Produce Safety in Minnesota through a National Produce Safety Program - Project Abstract The intended outcome of this project is to advance efforts for a national integrated food safety system (IFSS) by continuing to develop Minnesota’s Produce Safety Program and its work in inspections, outreach, engagement and education to enhance produce safety and achieve high rates of compliance with the FDA’s Produce Safety Rule. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is eligible to apply for FOA PAR-21-174 as it is a state food safety regulatory entity that has regulatory oversight and responsibility over Minnesota farms, produce commodities, and activities covered under FDA’s Produce Safety Rule, 21 CFR Part 112. The MDA is eligible to apply for PATH C of this funding opportunity as it adopts FDA’s Produce Safety Rule, 21 CFR Part 112, in its entirety under Minnesota Statute 31.101 Subdivision 8. MS 31.101 Subd. 8. Food and drugs rules. Applicable federal regulations including recodification contained in Code of Federal Regulations, title 21, parts 0-1299, Food and Drugs, not otherwise adopted herein, also are adopted as food rules of this state. [Link: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/31.101#stat.31.101.8] The Minnesota Department of Agriculture Produce Safety Program was established under the initial FDA Produce Cooperative Agreement Program in 2016. The program has established outreach, education, inventory, and inspection components, along with several supporting processes. The MDA Produce Safety Program completed an initial strategic plan in June of 2017 that shaped the first years of program development. That strategic plan is the basis for the new project plan included with this grant application. The program has started transitioning from development to maintenance activities and will continue to do so over the next several years. The MDA, as part of this application, will create and execute a comprehensive project plan that outlines the objectives and deliverables needed to enhance produce safety and achieve high rates of compliance with the FDA’s Produce Safety Rule. The seven components of the program project plan are: assessment and planning; program administration; education, outreach, and technical assistance; farm inventory; inspection program; compliance and enforcement program; and produce-related event response planning and implementation. The goal of the project will be to further the MDA Produce Safety Program’s mission to engage farmers by providing access to innovative learning opportunities and by conducting risk-based inspections resulting in safe and healthy Minnesota produce.
