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 Updates

• GAP Audit Program Scope (pdf)
• USDA Billing Policy Change – effective April 1, 2019 (pdf)
• Frequently Asked Questions on Harmonized Product GAP and Produce Safety Rules Alignment (pdf)

GAP Audit Services Include:

• Produce GAPs Harmonized Audit
• USDA GAP&GHP Audit
• GroupGAP
• Tomato Food Safety Audit Protocol
• Mushroom GAP
• California LGMA
• Arizona LGMA

How to Request an Audit

• 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 above)
• Complete the Request for Audit Service Form SC-237A
• 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 below, under “Contact Information
• Email or fax your completed Audit Request Form 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.
• Complete the SC-430 Vendor Form and submit according to the form completion instructions
• Complete an Agreement for Participation in Audit Services form SC-651 and submit it to your auditor or to the contact below, via email or fax.

GAP Program Logo

GAP program participants that maintain compliance with program requirements may apply to use the GAP & GHP program logo.  Participants must submit a written request using SC-652 form, Logo Use Request for Audit Programs. and submit supporting documents as identified in the SC-652 form and the Instructions for the Use of the GAP & GHP Logo.

Audit Uploads to External Sites

Make sure your buyers see the positive results of your USDA GAP audit.  Ask the USDA Specialty Crops Inspection Division (SCI) to upload your USDA audit report to industry commercial supply chain databases

Contact Information

Find a USDA GAP-Certified Company:

• By Location
• By Commodity
• By Company Name 
• By Audit Type, Commodity, Location, and Company Name 
• Site Instructions (pdf)

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  
• Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance
• A Farmer’s Handbook to the USDA Harmonized GAP (Carolina Farm Stewardship Association) - This resource was funded through a cooperative agreement between AMS, The Ohio State University and Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and it is housed on CFSA’s website.