The Georgia GAP Food Safety Program can help you establish and verify your food safety program through a 3rd party food safety audit. Whether you need a good, foundational food safety audit through the GA GAP audit or a more nationally recognized affiliated audit through Primus Labs, we can help you meet your farm’s needs. Our complete program encompasses field and harvest crew GAP audits through packing facility and storage/cooler facility GMP audits.
GFVGA’s is committed to providing safe produce for consumers which is why the Georgia GAP Food Safety Program was established. It all began in 2008, after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the “Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards For Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.” GFVGA members approached the GFVGA Board of Directors about needed help and guidance with food safety. Through USDA State Block Grant funding, GFVGA partnered with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, University of Georgia and the Georgia Crop Improvement Association to establish the GA GAP Food Safety Program. A generic food safety program was developed as well as materials for producers to implement and educate their employees. GFVGA administers the program and offers consulting, the Georgia Crop Improvement Association performs all audit services and reporting, the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture performs pesticide inspections, and the University of Georgia offers education and technical support.
The GA GAP Food Safety Program was established by the Georgia fresh produce industry to verify good agricultural practices were followed during production, packing and shipping.
• Requires that sanitary handling and packing practices are followed
• Promotes the use of food security precautions
• Requires the use of environmentally safe practices
• Requires the use of tested water
• Requires a safe and healthy environment for workers
