In June 2009, the United Fresh Food Safety & Technology Council endorsed a plan to drive harmonization of GAP standards, to reduce audit fatigue and allow operations to focus their food safety resources on achieving food safety, rather than passing audits. This plan evolved into the Produce GAPs Harmonization Initiative, an all-industry effort including growers, shippers, produce buyers, government agencies, audit organizations and other stakeholders. The goal of the Initiative is “one audit by any credible third party, acceptable to all buyers”. To achieve this goal, the Initiative has developed food safety Good Agricultural Practices standards and audit checklists for pre- and post-harvest operations, applicable to all fresh produce commodities, all sizes of on-farm operations and all regions in the U.S., and has made them available for use by any operation or audit organization at no cost.

What’s New

• Changes Proposed to Pre-harvest Harmonized Standards
• Harmonized Standards in the News
• Who is endorsing audits using the Harmonized Standards?
• Who is performing audits using the Harmonized Standards?
• TWG Finalizes Harmonized Standards for Post-harvest Operations
• Comments Solicited on Proposed Changes to Harmonized Standards for Field Operations and Harvesting
• Calibration Committee Offers Auditor Training

Harmonized Standards

• Field Operations and Harvesting
• Post-Harvest Operations

Policies and Proceedures for Harmonized Standards

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Background

Steering Committee

Operations Committee

Technical Working Group (TWG)

Calibration Committee

For more information about the Produce GAPs Harmonization Initiative, please contact Erin Grether at egrether@unitedfresh.org

Upcoming Meetings

TBD

We are asking those who wish to attend to register using this form and return to Erin Grether at egrether@unitedfresh.org or call 202-303-3402.