New FSMA PSR add-on v2 now available

The newest version of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) add-on is now available for fruit and vegetable producers supplying the US market. Launched on 1 January 2024, FSMA PSA v2 is designed to be paired with Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) version 6 for fruit and vegetables.

The FSMA PSR add-on addresses the specific requirements of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the production, storage, and handling of fruit and vegetable products destined for the US market. Available for worldwide implementation, the add-on offers cost-efficient audit options for both individual producers (single site and multisite producers) and producer groups, including smallholders.

Another step on the smart journey

The FSMA PSR add-on v2 has been updated to align with IFA v6 to enable a smarter and more intuitive experience for producers. Compliance with the add-on is audited by an accredited and independent third-party certification body (CB) together with the annual IFA audit, improving efficiency and streamlining audits along the supply chain for both producers and buyers.

With principles and criteria covering water, equipment, soil, quality management systems, and more, the add-on provides complete coverage of the FSMA PSR requirements, delivering credible verification of a producer’s efforts toward FSMA PSR implementation in the form of a letter of conformance and audit report issued by a GLOBALG.A.P. approved CB. Each producer’s conformance status is available in the GLOBALG.A.P. IT systems, ensuring transparency in the supply chain.

Implementation dates

The new version became valid on 1 January 2024 and can be used by producers with IFA v6 Smart certification who require the FSMA PSR add-on. Implementation in combination with IFA v6 GFS will become possible following GFSI recognition of IFA v6. This is estimated to be in the third quarter of 2024, and a three-month transition period will be announced following the achievement of recognition. Until then, FSMA PSR v1.3 remains available in combination with IFA v5.4-1-GFS.

FDA alignment

The FSMA PSR add-on v1.3 in combination with IFA v5.4-1-GFS was formally recognized by the FDA as aligned with the technical requirements of FSMA PSR. Though the FDA has not reviewed additional standards or versions since the summer of 2023, IFA v6 GFS plus FSMA PSR v2 includes all of the FSMA PSR requirements previously reviewed by the FDA to ensure continued coverage.