Food Safety

University of Massachusetts Extension Food Safety Education Program

The University of Massachusetts Extension Food Safety Education Program helps prevent foodborne illness in Massachusetts through educational programs that address control of foodborne pathogens throughout the food chain from farm to table.

Permits needed to sell at a farmers' market

Food Protection Programs; Policies, Procedures, Guidelines from Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Program

In October 1998 the U.S Department of Agriculture and the U.S Food & Drug Administration, in response to food safety concerns, issued guidance documents for the fresh fruit & vegetable industry that provide guidance for reducing the possibility of contamination of fresh produce by microbial organisms. Shortly thereafter, many wholesale produce companies began to seek assurances that fresh produce suppliers were following the Good Agricultural Practices that these documents recommended. In January 2002, the USDA implemented the USDA GAP & GHP audit verification program. Information from Massachusetts Department of Agriculture website

Preventing and controlling the contamination of fresh farm produce is the key to producing wholesome, healthy products. This program helps growers to develop and implement farm food safety plans, and prepares them for GAPs certification. As a result, growers can market their products with greater confidence. For more information about GAP in Massachusetts, see Good Agricultural Practices program information.

Videos about GAP

Ten short training videos featuring Richard Bonanno, UMass Extension are available on
UMass Extension AgLand YouTube Channel

New England Food Safety Consortium

New England Food Safety Consortium designed to help start, maintain, or expand a food business. This webpage includes food safety regulations.