Transcript Good Agricultural Practices And Good Handling Practices Audit

Good Agricultural Practices
And Good Handling Practices
Audit Verification Program
(GAP/GHP)
What Is GAP/GHP?
Agricultural Industry’s
(Producers and Handlers) Use
Of Best Practices To Minimize
Microbial Contamination Of
Fresh Fruits And Vegetables
COMMUNICATION
• Producer and/or handler communication
with buyer is essential
• Buyer typically determines acceptable
audit (i.e. Global GAP, GFSI, USDA Audit
Verification Program, Harmonized, etc.)
• Communication can lead to audit
alternatives
GAP/GHP – 3 Major Components
•Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) – Which Examines
Farm Practices
•Good Handling Practices (GHP) –
Which Concentrates On Packaging Facilities,
Storage Facilities, And Wholesale Distribution Centers.
•Food Defense Protocols Utilized Throughout The Food
Chain
What Is A Fresh Produce
Audit Verification
Program?
3RD Party Verification Where
Specific Agricultural Best
Practices Are Being Utilized
Who Provides 3RD Party
Verification Audits
•For Profit Contractors
•Government
USDA/State Department Of Agriculture
(Colorado Dept. Of Ag)
Overview Of USDA – GAP/GHP
Audit Verification Program
USDA GAP/GHP Audit Verification Program
Is A Voluntary Audit Based Program Which
Verifies Adherence To Recommendations
Made By The Food And Drug
Administration.
•Audit Is Performed Only By Request
Of The Audittee
•Valid For One (1) Year – Contingent upon
passing prescribed unannounced audit(s)
Overview Of USDA – GAP/GHP
Audit Verification Program
(Cont.)
•Participants Who Meet The Requirements Of
The Program Receive A Certificate And
Are Listed On A USDA Website
•Prior To Start Of The Audit The
Applicant Must Agree To And Sign An “Agreement
To Participate” Document
Overview Of USDA - GAP/GHP
Audit Verification Program
(Cont.)
•Unannounced Visits Consist Of
•Brief Visit With Contact Person
•Walk Through Of The Farm/Packing
Operation
•Review Of Any Changes To The SOP
Or Verification Of Proper Training For
Any Newly Hired Employees
USDA’s GAP/GHP Audit
Verification Program Is Intended For
Continual, Consistent Use !
Scopes Available To Be Audited
•General
All Audits Must Begin With And Pass
This Portion
•PART 1 – Farm Review
•PART 2 – Field Harvest And Field Packaging Activities
•PART 3 – House Packing Facility
•PART 4 – Storage And Transportation
Scopes Available To Be Audited
(Cont.)
•PART 5 – (Vacant)
•PART 6 – Wholesale Distribution Centers/
Terminal Warehouse
•PART 7 – Preventive Food Defense Procedures
Scope Overview
Audit Processes And Scoring
•Each Scope Contains Series Of Questions
•Each Question Has An Assigned Point Value
•Auditor Answers Are Yes, No, Or N/A (Not Applicable)
•Each Audit Section (Scope) Requires 80% Of The Total
Points Available To Achieve A Passing Score For The
Section
Audit Results
Reporting Results Of The Audit
•Interview With Contact Person
•Detailed Copy Of Audit Checklist To
Applicant With Final Score
Helpful Links
•http://www.gaps.cornell.edu
•http://www.fda.gov/
•http://www.ams.usda.gov/gapghp
•http:// onfarmfoodsafety.org