The Produce Safety Rule (PSR) is one of seven rules in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) coming into effect in the next three years. Growers will be calling labs for water testing, and they will be using new FSMA vocabulary that lab techs and support staff may not have heard before. They must establish a Microbial Water Quality Profile for each of their water sources. The source and use of that water dictates the type and frequency of water test they need performed. The two water types under FSMA are Production Water, and Postharvest Water.
Here is a 1-page printable lab resource for staffers to post near their phones, “Lab resource: Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) water testing expectations for farmers who grow produce that is commonly eaten raw.”
The University of Michigan has more information on production water and postharvest water tests.