Food Protection Trends - January/February 2023 - 11

Figure 1. Flowchart of study eligibility determination.
Key produce safety need identified: knowledge
With shifting food safety regulations, produce growers
require new and continuous knowledge transfer. Growers
acknowledged many areas in which they needed more information,
often beginning with a clearer understanding of the
specific regulations that apply to their operation (10, 17, 22).
Growers continuously expressed frustration with or misunderstanding
of changing food safety practices and regulations
and mentioned the difficulty of complying with conflicting
regulations (10, 17, 22). Many growers need assistance understanding
the PSR or await guidance before making drastic
(and costly) changes to their produce safety practices (10, 17,
22). Growers also expressed confusion about which practices
were mandatory and which were recommended (10, 21, 22).
Some growers wanted more information on exact pathways
and sources of contamination risks (10, 17, 25, 28,
33). A pre-FSMA survey of growers and packers in seven
U.S. states revealed that increased produce safety knowledge
resulted in improved hygiene practices and worker
training (15). Experts highlighted the importance of assessing
current food safety knowledge and practices, at times
measuring with pre- and posttraining workshop evaluations
(23, 24, 27, 33). Although many of the needs assessments
addressed a knowledge deficit for growers, lack of information
was clearly not the only barrier to compliance with
produce safety standards (22).
Key produce safety need identified: training
Along with appropriate knowledge and accurate information
about food safety practices, small- to medium-sized
produce growers also identified a need for specific technical
training (7, 9, 25, 36). In a study of almost 300 New England
growers, researchers reported that producers needed training
in water testing, record keeping, sanitation of containers and
surfaces, and worker hygiene (9). Pires et al. (25) found that
most growers surveyed (58%) were applying raw manure to
their crops, and training on mitigation of pathogen transmission
and safe handling and application of biological soil
amendments was needed. Other surveys revealed a need for
assistance with employee produce safety training (36) or better
documentation of worker training (7). Bihn et al. (7) also
found that behavior changes and informed decision making
increased among growers who attended formal food safety
trainings. Training is an important aspect of produce safety
compliance for both growers and individuals involved in the
distribution and purchase of produce (7). A survey conducted
in the southeastern United States revealed that >40% of
growers and >60% of farmers' market managers wanted some
food safety training and/or educational materials (13).
Key produce safety need identified: capital
Many of the surveyed produce growers identified financial
constraints as an obstacle to implementing food safety
January/February Food Protection Trends
11
Food Protection Trends - January/February 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Food Protection Trends - January/February 2023
