New Fact Sheet: New World screwworm

While it’s been decades since the New World screwworm has been in Texas, it’s top of mind for many. Read the updated fact sheet from Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts for key information.

Circled letter "i" (for "information")

Food Safety: Texas GAPs and GHPs

Type
Course
Date of Publication
July 7, 2021
Price
See Agrilife Learn

Overview

Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) are intended to help prevent microbial, chemical and physical contamination of fresh produce at the farm level up to and including harvest. By adopting and implementing GAPs, you can identify the areas of highest risk and then start practices to prevent contamination from occurring.

Course Information

The acronym GAPs stands for Good Agricultural Practices. These practices are intended to help prevent microbial, chemical and physical contamination of fresh produce at the farm level up to and including harvest. Microbial contaminants include viruses, bacteria and protozoan parasites that cause human illnesses. These contaminants can come from animal feces, irrigation water or even workers handling the produce. As most produce crops are grown outdoors, there are several potential sources for contamination to occur.

By adopting and implementing GAPs, you can identify the areas of highest risk and then start practices to prevent contamination from occurring. Most of the training in this online course will deal with prevention of microbial contamination, but chemical and physical contamination will also be discussed.

Modules include:

  • Module 1: Overview of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)
  • Module 2: Microbiology for Producers
  • Module 3: On the Farm: Microbiology Concerns
  • Module 4: Understanding the Role of Water
  • Module 5: The Importance of Employee Hygiene and Training
  • Module 6: Facility Sanitation and Documentation
  • Module 7: The Economics of Food Safety

Looking for solutions in your county? Contact your local extension experts

More choices in Cooking & Food Safety

  • Publication

    View illustrations of quality grades of slaughter steers (USDA).

  • Course

    This food handler course in Spanish, accredited with the Texas Department of State Health Services, will allow food service employees, cottage food business operators, or others to meet the requirement of having a food handler or food safety course. Participants will learn basic food safety practices for the preparation of food.

  • Course

    1 out of every 13 children have one or more food allergies, which can be life threatening. This course will equip child care providers with the latest regulations and standards related to food allergies in child care settings. Participants will learn how to manage food allergies in the day care and on field trips.

  • Course

    There are many things one can do to help prevent foodborne illnesses from occurring, especially in children. This course is targeted towards child caregivers to discuss food safety practices in the preschool environment.

  • Course

    This food handlers certification course, accredited with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), will allow food service employees, cottage food business operators, or others to meet the requirement of having a food handler or food safety course. Participants will learn basic food safety practices for the preparation of food and can print a food handlers card.

  • Course

    Working in a child care setting can be such a rewarding, yet difficult job. Learn how to properly handle breast milk, formula, and other foods to help prevent food-borne illness in this course. Food safety preventative measures will be discussed to help ensure you have a safe environment for babies and children.