Georgia Regulatory Cooperative Agreement to Enhance Produce Safety

Project Abstract:The development of a produce safety program will establish a uniform foundation for the regulatory oversight ofGeorgia commodities described in the Produce Safety Rule. The development and implementation of this programwill assist federal and state programs to better direct their regulatory activities toward reducing foodborne illnesshazards as related to growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of produce for human consumption.Program needs for the cooperative agreement application funding include: ? Conduct assessment of the State's produce landscape and available resources. ? Establish a framework and process to develop and maintain a produce farm inventory. ? Provide resources for, and invest in, program infrastructure. ? Develop specific mechanisms to coordinate with local, state, and federal partners for produce safetyactivities. ? Formulate a multi-year plan to implement a produce safety system. ? Develop a performance measurement system. ? Evaluate the need for new or updated produce legislative or regulatory authority. ? Develop and/or provide education, outreach, and technical assistance to farming operations covered by the rule. ? Develop and/or provide education, outreach, and technical assistance to jurisdictional produce safetyregulators. ? Design and implement a compliance program.If funded under this cooperative agreement application, Georgia will continue to strive toward full conformancewith the rule as we build capacity in a produce safety program focused on public health, while working incollaboration with FDA and other stakeholders as part of an Integrated Food Safety System.