Harmonized GAP

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

  • AMS has updated the Harmonized GAP and Harmonized GAP Plus+ audit standards. These updates become effective May 1, 2024.  Summary of Changes to the Harmonized Standard (pdf)
  • A new Harmonized GAP and Harmonized GAP Plus+ audit checklist will be released in April 2024.

 

Harmonized GAP Standards and Checklists

The USDA Harmonized GAP standard and checklist were established May 1, 2021 and includes the Tomato Audit Protocol metrics as a voluntary scope.  Audits to this standard will be performed using the Harmonized GAP Plus+ Checklist through April 30, 2024.

NEW!  USDA has updated the Harmonized GAP Standard to meet Version 3.0 of the standard maintained by the International Fresh Produce Association’s GAPs Harmonization Initiative.  A summary of the changes to the standard is posted below.  Audits to the updated standard will be performed beginning May 1, 2024.

The USDA Harmonized GAP Plus+ standard and checklist align with the 2020 Global Food Safety Initiative’s (GFSI) technical equivalency benchmarking requirements for government entities.  Audits to this standard will be performed using the Harmonized GAP Plus+ Checklist through April 30, 2024. 

NEW!  USDA has updated the Harmonized GAP Plus+ Standard to meet Version 5.0 of the standard maintained by the International Fresh Produce Association’s GAPs Harmonization Initiative.  A summary of the changes to the standard is posted below.  Audits to the updated standard will be performed beginning May 1, 2024.

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