Michigan on-farm Produce Safety

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Yes. Your process, farm, and entire operation is kept confidential throughout the process per state law. 

 Technical assistance is always free and confidential from Produce Safety Technicians. The only time payment for service is required from the MIOFPS program is enrollment fees for Grower Trainings and Supervisor Trainings.  

 No, Produce Safety Technicians are not regulatory. All services provided by Produce Safety Technicians are educational and designed to help farms meet food safety regulations in confidence, without involvement with state regulators. Inspections in Michigan are performed by MDARD Produce Safety Inspectors.  

 No, Produce Safety Technicians will never share information about your farm or farm practices with a regulatory body. Technicians will work with you to identify food safety risks and provide technical assistance to help you reduce and manage those risks to ensure safe produce for all consumers. 

 If you are a farm that does any: growing, harvesting, packing, or holding, of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, or mushrooms, produce safety applies to you! The Produce Safety Rule provides federal requirements for these practices, and a Produce Safety Technician can help you ensure you are meeting these standards. 

 No, you are not obligated to earn a Produce Safety Certificate. You may choose to work with a Produce Safety Technician as much or as little as you prefer; all services provided are always voluntary, as well as free and confidential. Choosing to work with a Produce Safety Technician, however, may result in your farm being better aligned with the Produce Safety Rule and more prepared for a regulatory inspection.