Farm Management & Safety Flashcards
7 cards from real GAP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Farm Management & Safety flashcards as text
Which federal regulation works alongside GAP certification to establish legally enforceable produce safety standards in the United States?
Answer: The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule
The FSMA Produce Safety Rule establishes science-based minimum standards for produce safety and complements GAP voluntary certification requirements.
A GAP food safety plan must be reviewed and updated at minimum how often?
Answer: At least annually and after any significant change in operations
GAP requires farms to review their food safety plan at least once per year and update it whenever operations change significantly, such as adding new fields or water sources.
When creating a buffer zone between a livestock operation and a produce field, which factor is the MOST critical to evaluate?
Answer: Direction of water flow and potential runoff pathways
Water runoff carrying manure from livestock areas into produce fields is the primary contamination pathway, making drainage direction the most critical factor in buffer zone planning.
Under GAP, which of the following scenarios would require a farm to conduct an environmental assessment before harvesting?
Answer: A nearby field experiencing significant flooding that may have reached the produce area
Flooding events that may have caused produce fields to be inundated require an environmental assessment before harvest, as floodwater can carry serious pathogens like E. coli O157:H7.
What is the purpose of a 'lot number' system on a GAP-certified farm?
Answer: To enable rapid traceability and recall of specific batches of produce
Lot numbers link harvested produce to a specific field, date, and harvest crew, allowing rapid identification and removal of affected product during a food safety incident.
Which of the following is an example of a chemical hazard that must be addressed in a GAP food safety plan?
Answer: Pesticide residues exceeding tolerance levels on harvested produce
Chemical hazards include pesticide residues, lubricants, sanitizers, and other chemicals that could contaminate produce at unsafe levels.
How should a GAP-certified farm handle the situation where a recommended chemical is used at a rate higher than the label specifies?
Answer: It is a violation; label directions are legally binding and must always be followed
Under FIFRA, pesticide labels are federal law; applying at rates above the labeled rate is illegal regardless of circumstances and creates food safety and liability risks.