USDA Harmonized GAP Audit Program
USDA incorporated the two Produce GAPs Harmonized Food Safety Standards for specialty crops into its USDA Harmonized GAP audit program in 2011. The standard used for USDA Harmonized GAP audits is the “Combined Harmonized Food Safety Standard.” The official version of this standard is on the International Fresh Produce Association's Harmonization Initiative website.
Program News
On July 3, 2025 AMS has released 3 new addenda to the Harmonized and Harmonized GAP Plus+ Standards: Warehouse, Food Defense, and Integrated Pest Management. Requirements in the existing Harmonized and Harmonized GAP Plus+ standards have not changed. These new standards, versions 3.1 and 5.1 respectively, are effective July 3, 2025.
Harmonized GAP Standards and Checklists
The USDA Harmonized GAP standard and checklist were established July 1, 2025 to meet Version 3.0 of the standard maintained by the International Fresh Produce Association’s GAPs Harmonization Initiative.
- Harmonized GAP Standard (V 3.1) (pdf)
- Harmonized GAP Combined Checklist (V 6.2) (xlsx)
- Harmonized GAP Combined Checklist (V 6.2) (pdf)
The USDA Harmonized GAP Plus+ standard aligns with the 2020 Global Food Safety Initiative’s (GFSI) technical equivalency benchmarking requirements for government entities. The standard and checklist were established July 1, 2025 to meet Version 3.0 of the standard maintained by the International Fresh Produce Association’s GAPs Harmonization Initiative.
- Harmonized GAP Standard (V 5.1) (pdf)
- Harmonized GAP Combined Checklist (V 6.2) (xlsx)
- Harmonized GAP Plus+ Combined Checklist (V 6.2) (pdf)
Program Resources
- USDA Press Release
- Harmonized GAP Program Manual (pdf)
- Frequently Asked Questions on H-GAP and Produce Safety Rule Alignment (pdf)
- USDA Harmonized GAP Plus+ Audit Service Questions & Answers
- GAP Audit Program Scope (pdf)
- GAP Audit Billing Policy (pdf)
- GAP Audit Uploads
- GAP Program Logo
Additional Resources
- Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Resources
- FDA Site - Guidance for Fresh Produce
- FSMA Produce Safety Rule Fact Sheet
- Produce Safety Alliance
- On-Farm Food Safety Project
- A Farmer’s Handbook to the USDA Harmonized GAP (Carolina Farm Stewardship Association)
Contact Information
For additional information, please contact:
- Telephone: (202) 720-5021
- Fax: (866) 230-9168
- Email: SCAudits@usda.gov