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.

Grant Number: 5U2FFD007414-05
NIH Institute/Center: FDA
Principal Investigator: Nicole Baysal