Thirty-two Tobagonians benefited from a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course recently.

The course is in accordance with the Food Safety Modernisation Act (FSMA).

Secretary of Food Production, Forestry and Fisheries Hayden Spencer presented certificates to the participants yesterday (December 6) at the Division’s Glen Road office.

The course provided participants with training in seven modules: Introduction to Produce Safety, Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training; Soil Amendments; Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use; Agricultural Water (Part I: Production Water; Part II: Postharvest Water); Postharvest Handling and Sanitation; and How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan.

This provided a foundation of good agricultural practices and co-management information, FSMA produce safety rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan.

Among the other concepts covered, participants gained a basic understanding of micro-organisms and where they may be found on the farm, which should help improve food safety.