GAP Good Agricultural Practices Information

University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Potato Program


The Potato Program team at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension (UMCE) provides information on potato and rotation crop production. This page is for GAP or Good Agricultural Practices Information.

 

 

As we are getting familiar with GAP certification, many questions are being raised. I have collected frequently asked questions (FAQ): Frequently Asked Questions (updated 08.31.07). If you have specific questions, please read the FAQ to see if that question has been raised already. If you have a question that has not been raised, please email it to me (click on the link at the bottom of the page) and I will pass it on to get answered and add it to the FAQ list.

 

The forms are downloadable and printable!

The GAP certification verifies the farm’s adherence to the Food and Drug Administration’s “Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.” Copies are available at: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/prodguid.html.

A list of US potato operations currently GAP certified can be viewed at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fsis/Potatoes.pdf

A list of Maine operations currently GAP certified can be viewed at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fsis/Maine.pdf.

USDA Good Agricultural Practices & Good Handling Practices Audit Verification Checklist: GAP & GHP Checklist April 07, 2007

The USDA GAP audit has several parts. All must pass the General Questions and then move onto whichever part or parts are required. Most will have to pass Part 1, Part 2 and Part 4 in addition to the General Questions. You need to know exactly what is required in your situation.

This is an overview article that appeared in the March 2007 issue of SPUDLINES 45(1):4-6 GAP informational article

There are self audits for each section. If you can’t pass the self audits, you will likely not pass the actual audit. There are documentation files for each section. Required documentation is detailed. The generic Farm Food Safety Program is designed for Part 1, Part 2 and Part 4 in addition to the General Questions. There is an addendum to the generic Farm Food Safety Program designed for Part 3 (Packing House Facility).

General Questions (All must pass this portion)             Questions G-1 to G-15

Part 1 – Farm Review                                                      Questions 1-1 to 1-25

Part 2 - Field Harvest and Field Packing Activities        Questions 2-1 to 2-17

Part 4 – Storage and Transportation                               Questions 4-1 to 4-21

Part 3 – Packing House Facility                                      Questions 3-1 to 3-31

 RETURN

  • GAP information
      Farm Food Safety Plan
              Self Audit for the General Questions

             Documentation for the General Questions
      Self Audit for the Farm Review (Part 1)
            Documentation for the Farm Review (Part 1)
      Self Audit for Field harvest and Field Packing Activities (Part 2)
            Documentation for Field harvest and Field Packing Activities (Part 2)
      Self Audit for Storage and Transportation (Part 4)
            Documentation for Storage and Transportation (Part 4)

      Farm Food Safety Plan Addendum

        Self Audit for the Packing House Facility (Part 3)
        Documentation for the Packing House Facility (Part 3)

    Web site questions: 
    Steven B. Johnson, Ph.D. Crops Specialist and Extension Professor University of Maine Cooperative Extension PO Box 727 Presque Isle, ME 04769 e-mail: Steve Johnson
    In Maine 800.287.1462 Elsewhere 207.764.3361
    IMMPACT



    Maine Potato Board


     

     

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    Last Modified: 07/18/07
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