PSA Working Committee 5 – Harvest

September 23, 2011 2PM EST

Meeting Notes

Attendance: Pandol, Andrew; Brown, Reggie; Craig, Kahlke; Gunter, Chris; Blakely, Bob; Sharan, Lanini; Kline, Wes; Suslow, Trevor; Bihn, Betsy; Wall, Gretchen

WC#5 Focus: Harvest- Special emphasis on Co-Management and NOP related issues

Initial discussion on scope of work covered by Harvest Working Group

  • The Harvest group’s section would begin with the pre harvest assessment for risk and end with harvested product leaving the site. This is in general agreement with the Post-Harvest Group’s description of their section of the process.

Discussion of methods of proceeding

  • The group discussed either using the definition in the initial scope of work from the Produce Safety Alliance or the Harmonized Audit Document being put forward by the United Fresh lead initiative. General agreement was reached on using the Harmonized Audit for the initial discussion and then reviewing the PSA guidance as a cross-reference at the end of the process to insure that all items were covered.

5.1. Harvest Methods

  1. A diverse set of harvest methods and crop types present unique challenges.
  1. Row crops vs. Vine crops vs. Tree crops
  2. Single pass vs. Multiple pass harvest
  3. Single Year Crop vs. Multiple Year Crop
  4. Direct to Shipping Container vs. Hand Harvest to Harvest Aide vs. Full Mechanical Harvest
  1. Product that comes in contact with the ground should not be harvested, unless the product normally grows on the ground.
  2. The use of multiple use towels to wipe produce should not be used to prevent cross contamination.

5.2. Preharvest Review

  1. General discussion of the preharvest review led to discussion of the need to educate small producers in Hazard Identification and Analysis so that appropriate risk factors in their operation could be self-identified. Participants indicated that several groups had developed materials that address this process and they were encouraged to provide those to the website for evaluation.
  2. Discussions around the key issues in preharvest reviews involved: animal intrusion, water from flooding, contaminants such as septic systems and porta-pottys etc. There was some discussion about the use of animals in the production of crops and the need to consider those in the review process.
  3. A comprehensive preharvest checklist that is inclusive of all currently recognized hazards used by larger operations needs to be distributed and reviewed for modification to scale-appropriate use in relation to priority risk factors. A simplified checklist may be developed.
  1. What items might be included in this pre-harvest checklist?

5.3. Water at time of harvest

  1. General discussion of water and its importance to the overall food safety process. Some discussion was held on the need to differentiate single use vs. multiple use water. Water standards and the appropriate testing regime and procedures were discussed.
  2. Educational tools were offered for the web site from existing programs dealing with water related issues.

5.4. Equipment (sanitation, lubricants, maintenance, etc.)

5.5. Container sanitation, storage, and use in the field (including contact with ground)

  1. Packaging must be appropriate for its’ intended use.
  1. This might be based on supplier requirement or industry standards.
  2. Food contact surfaces (bins, totes, other harvest aides) should not be used for other purposes unless clearly marked or labeled for that purpose.

5.5.1. Harvest containers (multi-use)

  1. Group discussed the general issue of cleanliness in handling and storage of containers used in harvest. Concern was expressed about the issue of wood or other porous materials that maybe hard to clean being excluded as options for harvest containers. Materials need to be realistically evaluated for risks that are specific to their use before blanket statements are made about appropriateness of the containers. Small growers often do depend on used or multiple use containers of many types.
  2. The challenge of risk appropriate uses maybe a very large hurdle for them.
  3. Containers may come in contact with soil- does a written policy need to be enforced?
  4. How will soil on container bottoms affect stacking and transfer of soil to those underneath?
  5. If containers are sent to dump tank or flume, additional organic material might drive need to monitor and adjust levels for water sanitation more frequently
  1. Group needs to answer the question; is inspection of multiple-use harvest containers a sufficient preventive control?
  2. Can one adequately define a threshold for ‘general cleanliness’?
  3. Does the expectation for a standard change if water use or contact with the container or crop is involved in harvest? Postharvest?

5.5.2. Field packing containers (single use)

  1. Packaging materials might be staged in field, even overnight
  2. Proper storage of all packaging materials should be followed to minimize contamination from birds, animals, or soil.

5.6. Storage & transportation post packing

Meeting Details

  • Doodle sent out for next meeting.
  • Update: Meeting set for October 31, 2011 at 2PM EST
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