Food Safety
New Jersey farmers are known for producing the highest quality produce and using the safest handling practices. Consumers expect their produce to be safe to eat and consumer confidence is important to the state's produce industry. Our Jersey Fresh farmers must meet the high-quality standards of the Jersey Fresh grading program. It is more than an advertising logo. It is a comprehensive program of assuring the highest quality product is coming from our local growers.
- Food Safety Modernization Act
- Produce Safety Task Force
- Third-Party Food Safety Audits
- Community Farmers Markets Food Safety
- Consumer Information
- Contacts
- Food Safety Modernization Act
On Monday, March 23, 2015, food-safety experts from government, academia and the produce industry discussed with agricultural producers the likely impacts to their operations from the impending implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Below are the presentations from three of the speakers from that session at the Rutgers Econ-Complex. The session was sponsored by the Northeast Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NEASDA) and presented jointly by the New Jersey and Delaware Departments of Agriculture.
FSMA Produce Safety Rule - Implementation [1,057K PDF]
Jennifer Thomas, FDA/Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
The Food Safety Modernization Act: Update 2015 [712K PDF]
Wesley L. Kline, Rutgers Cooperative Extention, Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety Team
Delaware Cooperative Extension 2015 - FSMA in Delaware [2,896K PDF]
Gordon Johnson, Extension Vegetable and Fruit Specialist, University of Delaware
Food Safety and FSMA - Industry Impact? [6,576 PDF]
Bob Whitaker, PhD, Chief Science and Technology Officer, Produce Marketing Association
- Produce Safety Task Force
A task force was formed with industry, academic and agricultural group representation to determine how New Jersey’s produce industry can ensure food safety, with special emphasis on how such regulations can make small, family farms effective on food safety issues.
Click here for more information.
- Third-Party Food Safety Audits
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture, along with the United States Department of Agriculture, offers a voluntary farm auditing program that verifies that produce has been harvested, packed and shipped in a safe and sanitary manner.
View the NJDA's Third Party Audit page.
Good Agricultural Practices and Third Party Audits
USDA Fresh Product Grading and Quality Certification
- Community Farmers Markets Food Safety
New Jersey’s fast-growing array of community farmer’s markets are a great place to buy Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables. Many also now offer prepared foods as well. To comply with New Jersey health regulations under Chapter 24, such foods must be prepared in licensed, inspected kitchens and meet other requirements, which vary depending on the type of food being offered. To help vendors comply with these rules, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Senior Services collaborated on “Chapter 24 and You: A Practical Guide to Selling Safely at Farmer’s Markets.” Please use the guide to ensure the prepared foods you offer at farmer’s markets are safe and in compliance with the law.
Chapter 24 and You: A Practical Guide to Selling Safely at Farmers Markets
- Consumer Information
Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a health diet. There are steps consumers can take to ensure the produce they eat is safe and healthy.
Safe Handling of Raw Produce and Fresh-Squeezed Fruit and Vegetable Juices
USDA Seasonal Food Safety Fact Sheets
Government Food Safety Information - Consumer Advice
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service - Food Safety Education
Fight Bac - Keep Food Safe From Bacteria
Food Spoilage Chart
Food Safety Consumer Links
- Contacts
Al Murray
Assistant Secretary of Agriculture
Al.murray@ag.state.nj.us
(609) 292- 5536
Chris Kleinguenther
Commodity Inspection and Grading
christian.kleinguenther@ag.state.nj.us
(856) 453-3870
Wes Kline
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cumberland County
wkline@rce.rutgers.edu
(856) 451-2800
Richard Ritota
New Jersey Department of Health
Food and Drug Safety Program
Richard.Ritota@doh.state.nj.us
609-588-7606
This page was developed in cooperation with Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.