Regulations

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) are voluntary audits that verify that fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled, and stored as safely as possible to minimize risks of microbial food safety hazards. GAP & GHP audits verify adherence to the recommendations made in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and industry recognized food safety practices.

Lists of Food Safety Requirements for Direct Marketing Farm Raised Meats, Poultry and Eggs in Maryland.

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is sweeping legislation designed to protect the American public by focusing on preventing illness rather than responding to outbreaks after people are already sick. The Act was passed in 2010.

The government sets the standards for food safety and enforces them through the licensing process. Jurisdiction over food safety regulations and licensing is divided among a few different government agencies. In general, federal regulations supersede state regulations, and state regulations supersede local regulations. States may be more restrictive, but not less restrictive than federal regulations. In the same spirit, some states have “home rule” which means designated areas may act independently, and their regulations may be more restrictive than state regulations.