Hello Gardeners, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. Many farmers rolled their eyes when they heard about new requirements from the US Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act. However, only farms that grow fruits and vegetables that are usually consumed raw are covered by the produce safety portion of the law and there are many exceptions to that category based on annual sales at the farms and where the products are going. For example, if a farmer grows tomatoes that are going to be canned, those tomatoes are not covered. If a farmer is unsure if he/she comes under the rules, just call Brooke Horton at the Consumer Safety Division of the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. She’s working with Chad Carter of Clemson Extension giving day-long educational trainings all over the state to make it easy for farmers to begin the process.
Helping Farmers Comply with New Food Safety Law
