Path C The Continued Development and Implementation of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture Produce Safety Program Under Path C

Project Summary: The Continued Development and Implementation of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture Produce Safety Program Under Path C This project is designed to successfully continue the development and implementation of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Produce Safety Program. The State of Connecticut is seeking to advance the effort for Connecticut to be apart of a nationally integrated food safety system through high quality consistent regulatory programs, education, and technical assistance for producers. To continue building our program, the Department is applying for funding under PATH C. Our staff closely follow our strategic/project plan to implement the work of the program throughout our State. All of our inspectors have been trained to inspect sprouts but at this time there are no sprout growers in the State of Connecticut. Should there be a need to inspect a grower in the future, inspections will be conducted under Subpart M of the Produce Safety Rule, in conjunction with informing the FDA state liaison. A comprehensive State web page for Connecticut’s Produce Safety program is found at: Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program Overview ( if hyper link does not connect—here is the link to cut and paste) https://portal.ct.gov/DOAG/Regulatory/Regulatory/Fruit-and-Vegetable- Inspection-Program-Overview This website details Connecticut’s authority to enforce the Produce Safety Rule as a component of the Food Safety Modernization act. It provides valuable information and insights for our producers. Connecticut’s state statutes, cgs 22-39g, can be found here: Chapter 423 - Grading and Marketing of Farm Products (state.ct.us) (https://search.cga.state.ct.us/sur/chap_423.htm#sec_22-39g) Under these statues, The Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act as amended by The Food Safety Modernization Act, has been adopted by reference in our enabling legislation.