Resources Available for Farms Covered Under Revised Produce Safety Agricultural Water Rule
CONTACT:
Andrea Sarchet, Montana Department of Agriculture, (406) 444-0131
Logan Kruse, Montana Department of Agriculture, (406) 444-3684
Resources Available for Farms Covered Under Revised Produce Safety Agricultural Water Rule
HELENA, Mont. - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published revised requirements for Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water [fda.gov] in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR). The revised requirements replace the previous microbial quality criteria and testing requirements with a systems-based, pre-harvest agricultural water assessment.
Under the revised rule, covered farms using pre-harvest agricultural water for covered produce must conduct an annual written agricultural water assessment. This assessment will be used for risk management and decision-making purposes related to pre-harvest agricultural water. The assessment will review your farm’s agricultural water system(s), agricultural water practices, crop characteristics, environmental conditions, and other relevant factors. Covered farms may be exempt from assessments if they meet specific requirements for their pre-harvest agricultural water. Exemption eligibility requirements are referenced in this FDA factsheet.
Based on the assessment, farms must determine if corrective or mitigation measures are necessary to minimize contamination risks. Documentation of agricultural water assessments and any reassessments is required, including descriptions of factors evaluated and written determinations. If corrective or mitigation measures are used, you must keep documentation of any actions you take. A reassessment is required at least once annually and whenever a significant change occurs in your agricultural water system(s).
The final rule also requires documentation of a supervisory review of the written assessment and determinations made.
April 2026 - $250k to $500k in annual sales
April 2027 - $25k to $250k in annual sales
We encourage all fruit and vegetable producers to take advantage of the produce safety training opportunities provided. Farms that have already received this training may benefit from taking a refresher course to better understand the new rule requirements.
Registration is open for upcoming training courses. Sign up today for a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training course at agr.mt.gov.
The Montana Department of Agriculture is available to help assess Produce Safety Rule compliance, including the new ag water requirements on your farm with a free On-Farm Readiness Review. If you have any questions, please contact:
- Andrea Sarchet, Produce Safety Coordinator | (406) 444-0131 or andrea.sarchet@mt.gov
- Jessica Arneson, Produce Safety Compliance Specialist | (406) 444-3001 or jessicaarneson@mt.gov
The Montana Department of Agriculture is serving Montana Agriculture and growing prosperity under the Big Sky. For more information on department programs and services, visit agr.mt.gov.
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Tags: Food Safety, FDA and FSMA
