Produce Safety Rule FDA Joint Cleaning and Sanitation Workshop

Description

Join us February 19, 2026 8:00AM - 5:15PM Central
DeSoto County Agri-Education Center
1170 Star Landing Rd West
Nesbit, MS 38651

*Pre-Workshop Webinar Online February 12, 2026 from 2:00PM - 3:30PM Central* for a PRODUCE SAFETY RULE FDA Joint Cleaning and Sanitation Workshop. 

Workshop Objectives: 

1. Understand the importance of food safety, the potential impacts of microorganisms on produce, and the role of cleaning and sanitizing in controlling undesirable microorganisms on the farm and in the packinghouse.
2. Understanding the difference between and importance of cleaning and sanitizing.
3. Understand factors that influence the effectiveness of cleaning and how farm practices can influence cleaning effectiveness.
4. Understand factors that influence the effectiveness of sanitizing and how farm practices can influence sanitizing effectiveness.
5. Understand the applicable Produce Safety Rule requirements, as they apply to the produce industry.
6. Identify food safety hazards associated with farm environment, equipment, buildings and tools.
7. Understand development of master schedules and cleaning and sanitizing standard operating procedures to manage identified hazards and understand the importance of verification and the options for verification activities. 

Target Audience: Produce farm owners, operators, food safety managers, or farm personnel with cleaning and sanitizing responsibilities including leading or performing cleaning and sanitizing activities, Extension agents, produce safety educators, industry association representatives, and regulatory agency representatives. 

Registration Fee: $40.00. Includes lunch, learning materials, a certificate of attendance, and a cleaning and sanitation ‘starter kit’ of supplies. Non-refundable, transferrable upon request. Register by midnight, February 9, 2026. Language: This workshop and all of the materials will be provided in English. 

Presented By: Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the US Food and Drug Administration.