COOL Enforcement

FSMA Webinar: “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption, i.e. the Produce Safety Regulation”

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) Specialty Crops Program (SCP) invites you to a free live, interactive webinar on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recently finalized “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption” regulation under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).  The webinar will be led by Leanne Skelton, Biological Science Specialist with the AMS SCP and the USDA’s FDA Liaison, and Dr. Samir Assar, Director of FDA’s Division of Produce Safety.

Marketing Analysis & Reporting Services (MARS) - Help Map the Future of Market News

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Market News (MN) is looking for your help in improving Market News. AMS is developing the Market Analysis & Reporting Services (MARS), a new data management system that will improve the flow of Market News data from sources, to USDA analysts, and to the public, while expanding Market News data collection and distribution into remote locations.

USDA Amends Country of Origin Labeling Requirements, Final Rule Repeals Beef and Pork Requirements

Release No.: 047-16

WASHINGTON, Feb. 29, 2016 – As directed by the United States Congress through Public Law 114-113, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is issuing a final rule that amends the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) regulations by removing the requirements for muscle cuts of beef and pork, and ground beef and pork.

Specialty Crops Program Webinar: "Is GroupGAP Right For You

The AMS Specialty Crops Inspection Division (SCI) will present a webinar on GroupGAP, an exciting new program is designed to make USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification program accessible for all growers.  AMS will begin accepting applications for the GroupGAP Program on April 3, 2016.  This, AMS’ second GroupGAP webinar, will focus on the specific requirements of the USDA GroupGAP Program, including: