Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Audits

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) audits are voluntary audits that verify that fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled, and stored to minimize risks of microbial food safety hazards. GAP audits verify adherence to the recommendations made in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s  Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (pdf) and industry recognized food safety practices.  In 2021, USDA  performed GAP audits in 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada, covering over 90 commodities.

GAP Program News

• Audit Fee Increase Effective October 1, 2023
• The Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) Program provides assistance to specialty crop operations that incurred eligible on-farm food safety program expenses in 2022 and 2023
• New USDA GAP Water FAQs
• Aquaponics Pilot moved to permanent policy

GAP Audit Services Include:

• USDA Harmonized GAP Audit
• USDA GAP Audit
• GroupGAP
• Mushroom GAP
• California LGMA
• Arizona LGMA
• California CCAB

GAP Program Resources

• GAP Audit Program Scope (pdf)
• GAP Audit Billing Policy (pdf)
• GAPS for Aquaponic Operation
• GAP Audit Uploads
• GAP Program Logo

How to Request an Audit

• If you are a new applicant, you must first establish a billing account with USDA/AMS by completing the SC-430 Vendor Form and submit according to the form completion instructions.  If you already have an account but something has changed, please submit the SC-430 Vendor Form with the updates.

• Determine what type of audit you need.  For example, your customers may require a Harmonized GAP audit or, if you grow mushrooms, you might need a Mushroom GAP (MGAP) audit. (See list of GAP Audit Services, above.)
• Complete the Request for Audit Service Form SC-237A and the Agreement for Participation in Audit Services Form SC-651
• Next select the office closest to the facility that needs to be audited, from the list of Local Specialty Crops Inspection Division audit offices. For non-domestic audits, please contact the national office using the information under “Contact Information”
• Email or fax your two completed forms (SC-237A and SC-651) to the office that you selected.
• The office will contact you and confirm the receipt of your request, give you more information about the program procedures, and schedule your audit.

Additional Resources

• NASDA GAP Toolkit – This toolkit was designed as a resource of information about USDA GAP Audit Programs, with a focus on GroupGAP.
• FSCSC Program – Reimbursement for Food Safety Certification
• FDA Site - Guidance for Fresh Produce
• FSMA Produce Safety Rule Fact Sheet
• Produce Safety Alliance
• On-Farm Food Safety Project
• Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Resources – These is where we keep policies, procedures, and forms for auditor access.

Contact Information

For additional information, please contact:

• Telephone: (202) 720-5021
• Fax: (866) 230-9168
• Email: SCAudits@usda.gov