Food Safety

Food safety is an important program area of the UC Small Farm Program. The chain of food safety begins with farmers in the field, but continues through packinghouses, value-added production operations, farmers markets and other vendors, and ultimately ends with the consumer. Below are some resources for farmers, researchers and educators.

Food Safety Materials:

• USDA AMS GAPs audit

• Learn about California Third Party Audit for GAPS certification with these new videos. Here are the links onYoutube:
  English
  Hmong

• UC GAPs Guide to Taking Microbial Irrigation Water Samples
• Food Safety Plan Template
• Third party auditors list
• Meat, Milk & Eggs
• Olive Oil and Food Safety
• Food Safety Workshop PowerPoint Presentation
• Food Safety Workshop Presentation in Spanish
• Food Safety Resource list
• Employee Health & Hygiene Policies
• CDFA Food Safety Audit Cost Share Form

Other Food Safety Resources

• Self-Certification Model
  This example, provided by Napa County, is the county's Best Management Practices agreement for a garden to become an "Approved Source"
• California Small Farm Food Safety Manual
  This manual, last updated in 2011, provides a basic framework for creating a food safety program on a small farm, following good agricultural practices (GAPs).
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  Growers' Compliance Costs for the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement and Other Food Safety Programs
  This 2009 research brief includes results from a survey of California's leafy greens growers about their food safety costs.
• Food Safety at Farmers Markets and Agritourism Venues
  This 36-page "Primer for California Operators," is a basic guide to understanding food safety issues relevant to California certified farmers markets and agritourism operators. The handbook can also be useful as a resource for educating employees. Also available in traditional Chinese.

Food Safety on the Farm

• UC Food Safety 
  Compilation of University of California food safety research from agricultural researchers and Cooperative Extension specialists throughout the state.
• UC Good Agricultural Practices
  Compilation of information on GAPs, postharvest handling and food safety from throughout the University of California system.
• Food Safety Begins on the Farm: A Growers Guide (PDF) 
  This 28-page booklet provides an overview of good agricultural practices that can be implemented on farms and in packinghouses, as well as background information on foodborne illnesses related to produce consumption. Produced by Cornell University's Good Agricultural Practices Program.
• Checklists from USDA Agricultural Marketing Service for GAPs audits
  Checklists from the USDA AMS for its GAPs and good handling practices (GHPs) verification audit programs, including information about tomato audit protocol, mushroom GAPs and leafy greens marketing agreements.
• USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
  Public health agency responsible for ensuring that the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe and correctly packaged.
• USDA Food Safety Research and Information Office
  Disseminates food safety research information, primarily for researchers.
• USDA Food Safety Information Center
  Provides food safety information and news to educators and researchers.

Food Safety for Consumers

• Consumer Food Safety Tips
  Fact sheet for consumers about how to keep food safe at home.
• Getting the Message to Consumers
  Tip sheet for organizations and educators about how to spread the news about food safety.
• UC Davis Food Safety Music
  Educational web page with food safety-themed covers of popular tunes. Lyrics, audio and video files available.
• Gateway to Government Food Safety Information
  Compilation of selected food safety-related information from various government souces. Site is maintained by the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
• FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
  FDA program focused on food supply, as well as cosmetics safety, with information on various food safety concerns and consumer advice.
• Fight BAC Partnership for Food Safety Education
  Food safety educational resources for consumers.