Success StoryProduce Safety Alliance Grower training for Kentucky growers to fulfill the federal FSMA Produce Safety Rule regulatory requirement



Produce Safety Alliance Grower training for Kentucky growers to fulfill the federal FSMA Produce Safety Rule regulatory requirement

Author: Paul Vijayakumar

Planning Unit: Animal and Food Sciences

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is a federal law transforming the nation’s food safety system. The “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption”, aka “Produce Safety Rule (PSR),” establishes for the first time, science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. The rule is part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to implement the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. The final rule went into effect on January 26, 2016.  Growers need to attend PSA Grower training in order to fulfill FSMA Produce Safety Rule regulatory requirement. The FSMA Produce Safety Rule requires at least one supervisor or responsible party from the farm to complete a food safety training at least equivalent to that received under a standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by FDA conducted by qualified trainers. Dr. Paul Priyesh, the PSA lead trainer for the state and his produce safety team conducted 4 PSA grower trainings (2 remote and 2 in-person) from July 2023- June 2024 across the state of Kentucky. 60 participants, which included 10 growers from the Amish and Mennonite population successfully completed the program. Pre-test data showed that 13.5 percent of the participants scored 75% or above, but the post-test data showed a significant increase in knowledge, with 75 percent of the participants scoring 75% or above.






Stories by Paul Vijayakumar


Third-Party GAP Audit/Food Safety Plan Writing Workshop

about 5 years ago by Paul Vijayakumar

Good agricultural practices (GAPs) and Good handling practices (GHPs) are voluntary audit programs t... Read More


Two field days in collaboration with Kentucky Horticulture Council to educate Kentucky Growers on The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) – Agriculture Water Testing:

about 5 years ago by Paul Vijayakumar

Dr. Paul Priyesh Vijayakumar collaborated with the Kentucky Horticulture council and the UKs Food Co... Read More


Stories by Animal and Food Sciences


West Kentucky Select Bred Heifer Sale

about 5 years ago by Kevin Laurent

The West Kentucky Select Bred Heifer Sale held in Guthrie, KY was established by the University of K... Read More


IRM Farm Program- Western KY

about 5 years ago by Kevin Laurent

The IRM Farm Program is a project-based educational program designed to demonstrate beef production ... Read More