Agricultural Marketing Service, Specialty Crops Program, Specialty Crops Inspection Division 

SUMMARY OF CHANGES 

USDA HARMONIZED GAP AND GAP PLUS+ STANDARDS 

Introduction 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has updated 

the content of the USDA Harmonized Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Standards. These 

changes include the updates to the Harmonized Combined Standard hosted by International Fresh 

Produce Association (IFPA), which were finalized May 2023. 

The Produce GAPs Harmonization Initiative is an all-industry effort that develops food safety 

GAPs standards and audit checklists for pre-harvest and post-harvest operations that are applicable 

to all fresh produce commodities, all sizes of on-farm operations, and all regions in the United 

States. The Initiative is a collaborative effort on the part of growers, shippers, produce buyers, 

government agencies, audit organizations, and other stakeholders. USDA incorporated the 

Produce GAPs Harmonized Food Safety Standard into its GAPs food safety audit program in 

2011. AMS provides voluntary GAPs audit services to the specialty crops industry that verify that 

fresh fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled, and stored as safely as possible to 

minimize risks of microbial food safety hazards. 

USDA has updated the Harmonized and Harmonized GAP Plus+ audit programs for the 2024 audit 

season. The revised USDA Harmonized GAP and GAP Plus+ Audit standards will go into effect 

on May 1, 2024. 

In general, throughout the standard the word “personnel” has been replaced with “employees and 

workers”. In the cold storage requirements, the language has been changed from “for food safety” 

to “by the food safety plan”. Table 1. below summarizes the changes for each requirement in the 

standard, defining what was added, replaced, or removed from each requirement. If a requirement 

is not listed in the table then no change was made from the previous version. 

Table 1. Summary of Changes to Harmonized Standard 

Section Changes 

G-1.1 ADDED: 

• and food safety culture

• Everyone in the organization shall understand the policy and be 

aware of their role in ensuring that this is met (e.g., through training 

initiatives, communication efforts, feedback to management,

Summary of Changes – USDA Harmonized GAP and GAP Plus+ Standard (February 2024) 

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Standard 

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Section Changes 

G-1.1 performance measurements related to food safety). The policy shall be 

communicated in a language understood by employees and workers. The 

policy shall be signed by senior management, and includes a date when the 

policy was created and any dates of revision. 

• observes that it includes a proactive approach to promoting food safety 

culture,

• and made accessible to all employees and workers

• and includes a date when the policy was created or revised.

REPLACED: “observes” with “reviews” 

REMOVED: observes that it 

G-1.2 ADDED: 

• on-site and remote, including a list of alternatives authorized to act in 

absence of designated individuals.

• On-site

G-1.3 ADDED: 

• corrective action

• resulting from employees and workers

• and trains or retrains

REPLACED: “disciplinary” with “corrective action” 

REMOVED: “or its communication” 

G-2.1 ADDED: 

• and

• physical and biological hazards

• products and

REMOVED: “biological including radiological and physical hazards and 

radiological”

G-2.2 ADDED: 

• And when changes that affect the operation occur.

• Changes that affect the operation occur (e.g., purchase of new packing 

equipment, changes management, new product type),

• Auditor shall review documentation that the food safety plan is 

reviewed and revised at least annually, or when changes that affect the 

operation occur.

• Operation reviews the food safety plan at least annually or when 

changes that affect the operation occur.
 

 

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Section Changes 

G-2.2 REMOVED: 

• “a change is made that might affect food safety”

• “auditor reviews last food safety plan review”

• “operation reviews food safety plan and documents review”

G-2.2.a REMOVED 

G-2.3 ADDED: 

• soil amendments, and alternative growing media, soil-less media, and 

substrates.

• Primary and

• to ensure that materials will not serve as a potential source of 

contamination (e.g., obtaining Certificate of Analysis for soil 

amendments).

• Have

REMOVED:

• “and service providers”

G-2.4 NEW ADDED: 

• Operation has an approved services program for all services which 

may impact the safety of the product.

• Operation has and maintains a current list of approved service 

providers which could impact the safety of the product such as 

portable sanitation unit servicers, equipment technicians, or field 

workers. All approved service providers are provided at minimum the 

operation’s food safety policies for proper restroom use and 

handwashing, illness policies, and other policies relevant to the service 

provider’s job (e.g., food safety practices during equipment 

maintenance).

• Auditor verifies a list of approved service providers is maintained and 

current. Auditor verifies that all services received from alternate 

sources have been provided food safety policies and procedures prior 

to work occurring

• Operation develops an approved services program and maintains a 

current list. Operation develops a procedure for accepting services 

from alternate providers. Operation ceases utilizing service providers 

who have not been provided the operation’s food safety policies.
 

 

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Section Changes 

G-2.4.a ADDED:

• Record “R”

• And service providers

• And service providers which have an effect on food safety.

G-2.3.b REMOVED 

G-2.3.c REMOVED 

G-3.1 ADDED: 

• Employees and workers have access to the most current version of the 

operation’s documents and records of procedures as related to the 

employee’s job responsibilities.

• employee’s and worker’s job responsibilities

• and up to date.

• Operation provides employees and workers with the most up-to-date 

versions of documents and records of procedures as related to the 

employee’s and worker’s job responsibilities.

G-3.3.a ADDED: 

• They shall be stored for the time required to meet customer 

requirements, or for a period exceeding the shelf-life of the food if 

customer requirements are not available.

G-4.1 ADDED: 

• Employees and workers shall be trained to notify a designated 

individual if a food safety risk is identified. All concerns are promptly 

considered, and when appropriate to the circumstance, acted upon.

• Employees and workers (at least annually), and retraining when 

deficiencies are identified, and as required by prevailing regulation

REMOVED:

• “and as needed”

G-4.2 ADDED: 

• has sufficient on the job training/experience or has

REMOVED:

• “by job experience”

G-5.1 ADDED: 

• laboratory or laboratory participating in a proficiency testing program 

using scientifically valid methods
 

 

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Section Changes 

G-5.1 • At a minimum, laboratory procedures are scientifically valid 

methods and in accordance with prevailing regulation. 

• only GLP or laboratories participating in a proficiency 

testing program and scientifically valid methods are used 

• or non-accredited and not scientifically valid 

REMOVED:

• “validated methods”

• “consistent in accordance with accredited methods”

• “validated methods are used”

• “non validated”

G-5.2 ADDED: 

• and records kept.

• that includes test frequency and procedures for food safety.

• All results for microbiological testing, including lab reports or 

certificates of analysis, required in the operation’s food safety plan 

shall be recorded and the records maintained for two years or as 

required by prevailing regulation.

• test records for at least two years

G-5.3 REMOVED 

G-5.3 

(formerly G5.4) 

ADDED: 

• written policy describing

• policy and actions

• (i.e., test and hold).”

REMOVED:

• “required, test”

• “written testing procedure that includes test frequency, sampling, test 

procedures”

• “procedures”

G-6.1 ADDED: 

• And

• Prevailing

REMOVED:

• “and non transporter.”

• “applicable”

G-6.2 ADDED: 

• Records check

G-7.1 ADDED: 
 

 

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Section Changes 

G-7.1 • Operation shall have written procedures that detail each step of the 

recall process including tasks and responsibilities. Written procedures 

detail communication with customers about recalled products, 

including how to withdrawal, return, dispose, or divert the affected 

product. Verification procedures shall document that the recall was 

conducted effectively. 

• Auditor shall review documentation of the recall program and written 

procedures 

• Operation develops a recall program including written procedures 

REMOVED:

• “the recall program shall have a designated recall team. A mock recall 

exercise shall be performed at least annually at the operation being 

audited. The mock recall shall include the trace back and trace forward 

exercise and shall be completed to applicable regulations.”

• “Auditor reviews records of most recent mock recall performed at the 

operation.”

• “operation develops recall team and recall plan, and tests the plan for 

effectiveness.”

G-7.1.a REMOVED 

G-7.2 NEW ADDED: 

• The recall program shall have a designated recall team.

• Operation has an established recall team and keeps up-to-date contact 

information for the internal and external individuals involved in the 

operation’s recall activities (e.g., key company employees, legal 

counsel, regulatory agencies, insurance agent, media spokesperson).

• Auditor reviews operation’s established recall team contact 

information.

• Operation develops a recall team and keeps up-to-date contact 

information for all team members.

G-7.3 NEW ADDED: 

• A mock recall exercise shall be performed at least annually at the 

operation being audited.

• The mock recall shall include a trace back and trace forward exercise 

for a hypothetical product on the market and include involvement by 

designated recall team members as established by the recall program.

• Auditor reviews records of most recent mock recall exercise 

performed at the operation.
 

 

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Standard 

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Section Changes 

G-7.3 NEW • Operation develops a written recall plan, performs a mock recall 

exercise, and keeps records. 

G-8.1 ADDED: 

• Action

• (e.g., root cause analysis exercise)

REMOVED:

• “and preventative action”

• “root cause analysis (e.g., 5 whys ) and follow up”

G-8.1.c REMOVED 

G-8.2 ADDED: 

• Hold and release

• Disposition must be documented (e.g., if the product was released, 

destroyed, donated, redirected).

• and their disposition.

• Product release procedure is being followed and release records are 

kept.

• or released

REMOVED: 

• clearly

REPLACED:

• “logs” with “records”

G-9.1 ADDED: 

• annually

G-10.3 REPLACED: 

• “servicing” with “serviced”

G-10.7 REMOVED: 

• “major”

G-10.8 ADDED: 

• Handwashing shall be monitored by visible observation when possible 

and/or confirming use of handwashing resources such as towels and 

soap to verify adequate handwashing is occurring.

G-10.11 REPLACED: 

• “Regulatory Requirements” with “Prevailing regulation”

G-10.12 ADDED: 

• Protective
 

 

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Standard 

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Section Changes 

G-10.12 • Or taken into restrooms 

G-10.13 ADDED: 

• false nails or eyelashes, watches, personal electronics (e.g., ear buds), 

or other items (including decorations that may fall from clothing and 

become a physical hazard)

G-10.17 REMOVED: 

• Written

G-10.19 ADDED: 

• and from entering produce handling areas.

• Written

• Foodborne

• and from entering produce handling areas where direct or indirect 

contamination could occur (e.g., shared use of tools by workers) until 

their condition no longer presents a risk to public health.

• Written

• Workers and visitors

REMOVED:

• “field”

G-10.19.a REMOVED 

G-10.20 ADDED: 

• Bandages or other coverings for cuts, sores, or lesions shall not pose a 

physical hazard to produce.

G-10.21 ADDED: 

• and implement

G-11.1 

(formerly F-2.1 

and P-2.1) 

ADDED: 

• Pesticides and other

• including

G-11.2 

(formerly F-2.2 

and P-2.2) 

ADDED: 

• the maximum residue limit (MRL)

• origin or intended country of

• and communication with buyers about potential countries where 

product is intended to be sold

• is grown and

• the auditor will review the operation’s compliance with agricultural 

chemical restrictions for the country where the produce was grown.
 

 

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Section Changes 

G-11.2 REPLACED: 

(formerly F-2.2 • “traded” with sold/distributed

and P-2.2) REMOVED:

• If product is intended for export,

• Entry

• This item is not applicable

G-11.3 ADDED: 

(formerly F-2.3 • The responsible person(s) must be able to prepare the required 

and P-2.3) application mix according to the label instructions.

• Auditors shall verify agricultural chemical mixes are prepared properly 

by interviewing the responsible person(s), if available.

G-11.5 (NEW) ADDED: 

• Use of water treatment agricultural chemicals shall comply with label 

directions and prevailing regulation.

• Agricultural chemicals used to manage water quality, including 

sanitizers and disinfectants, must be registered for such use as required 

by prevailing regulation, and used in accordance with label directions 

including application rates, worker protection standards, personal 

protection equipment, container disposal, storage, and all requirements 

specified for the chemical or compound. Chemicals that are not 

registered antimicrobial pesticides may be permitted for use if allowed 

under regulations of the prevailing agency. Records of water treatment 

are maintained, and include crop, date and location of application, 

chemical used, application rate and method.

• Auditor reviews agricultural chemical use records for evidence of 

compliance with approved uses or label directions.

• Operation develops and maintains agricultural chemical use records and 

maintains evidence of proper use of each chemical use. Affected 

product is evaluated for potential contamination and disposition. 

Retraining is performed and documented.

G-11.7 REPLACED: 

(formerly F-8.7 • “approved for their intended” with “appropriate for”

and P-6.3) • “approved” with “labeled”

REMOVED: 

• Or sanitizing

G-11.8 (NEW) ADDED: 
 

 

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Standard 

Effective Date: February 2024 Page 10 of 24 

Section Changes 

G-11.8 (NEW) • Compressed air or other gases that contact food or food contact 

surfaces must be maintained in a manner that does not serve as a 

potential source of product contamination. 

• Compressed air or other gases that are used in produce handling 

equipment, contact produce directly, or used in the process to clean 

food‐contact surfaces must be properly maintained and inspected

regularly. Compressed air or other gases must be properly stored and 

handled according to the label or manufacturer's instructions. When the 

food safety plan indicates that microbial or chemical testing is required 

to minimize potential food safety risks, documentation of test results 

and corrective actions are kept. Records of compressed air and gas 

system maintenance is documented. 

• Auditor reviews records of maintenance and testing results (when 

required by the food safety plan) of the compressed air or gas system. 

Auditor observes the appropriate use, storage, and/or handling of the 

compressed air or other gases used in contact with food and food 

contact surfaces. 

• Operation develops records to document maintenance and test results 

of compressed air and other gas systems that contact food or food 

contact surfaces. Retraining is performed and documented. 

G-12.1 

(formerly G11.1) 

ADDED: 

• growing and

F-2.a REMOVED 

F-2.1.a REMOVED 

F-2.1.b REMOVED 

F-2.1.c REMOVED 

F-2.1.d REMOVED 

F-2.3.a REMOVED 

F-2.4.a REMOVED 

F-2.1 

(formerly F-3.1) 

ADDED: 

• type of water source (e.g., surface, ground, reuse)

F-2.2 

(formerly F-3.2) 

ADDED: 

• as it relates to food safety
 

 

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Section Changes 

F-2.3 

(formerly F-3.3) 

ADDED: 

• Septic tanks and sewage conveyance locations are identified by the 

operation in relation to water systems.

F-4.4 

(formerly F-5.4) 

ADDED: 

• indicated by current industry standard or prevailing regulation

• sufficient to meet treatment objectives

REMOVED:

• “relevant”

• “Adequate to ensure that the treated water is consistently safe and of 

adequate sanitary quality for its intended use and/or consistently meets 

the relevant microbial quality criteria”

F-4.5 

(formerly F-5.5) 

ADDED: 

• microbial die-off

• the operation’s

F-4.6 ADDED: 

(formerly F-5.6) • compared to current industry standards or regulations

• as providing the same level of public health protection.

• To support

F-5.1 ADDED: 

(formerly F-6.1) • (e.g., does crop grow on ground vs. tree), type, concentration and 

occurrences.

REMOVED:

• “and approximate”

F-5.3 

(formerly F-6.3) 

ADDED: 

• (e.g., installation of buffer zones, fences, ditches, berms, etc.)

F-6.1 ADDED: 

(formerly F-7.1) • storage of animal-based soil amendments or biosolids.

• (if produced by your operation), application methods.

REMOVED:

• “soil amendment”

• “Utilized”

F-6.2 

(formerly F-7.2) 

ADDED: 

• as required by current industry standard or prevailing regulation.

F-6.3 (NEW) ADDED: 

• If an alternative growing media, soil-less media, or substrate not of 

animal-origin is used (e.g., perlite, peat, coconut fiber, rock wool,
 

 

 

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Section Changes 

F-6.3 (NEW) clay pebbles), it is appropriate for its intended use and stored and 

handled in a manner to minimize the risk of contamination. 

• WP, R

• The operation shall have a procedure for storing and handling 

alternative growing media, soil-less media, and substrate so that it 

does not pose a food safety risk to produce. Operation maintains a 

record of type, supplier, and use (e.g., clay pebbles used for 

growing hydroponic herbs).

• Auditor reviews procedure and records to determine the media or 

substrate is appropriate for its intended use and being stored and 

handled in a manner that does not introduce contamination.

• Operation develops a procedure for storing and handling growing 

media or substrate being used and develops the records needed for 

verification.

F-7.2 

(formerly F-8.2) 

ADDED: 

• Fit for purpose

• And foot

• Managed to

• And traffic

• Workers

REMOVED: 

• “flow”

• “from traveling through an untreated manure area into the harvesting 

field”
 

 

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Section Changes 

F-7.2.c 

(formerly 

F-8.2.c) 

P-5.5.a

(formerly 

P-6.5.a)

ADDED: 

• Cleaning and sanitation

• Demonstrate

• Are appropriate and effective

REMOVED:

• A cleaning and sanitation program for food contact surfaces shall be 

established, implemented and maintained.

• An implemented cleaning and sanitation program shall be established, 

including SOPs.

• The SOP must justify the frequency of cleaning, demonstrate that the 

cleaning and sanitizing methods are effective on the surfaces that they 

are used on, are being used at appropriate concentrations as required 

by the label. Operation shall demonstrate effectiveness in minimizing 

the potential for cross contamination from cleaning and sanitizing. 

Records of sanitizer chemical concentrations shall be maintained.

F-7.4 

(formerly F-8.4) 

ADDED: 

• on production and harvesting vehicles

• tools and utensils

F-7.5 

(formerly F-8.5) 

ADDED: 

• in a manner that minimizes the risk of becoming a source of 

contamination in growing and/or product storage areas

REMOVED:

• “away from the growing area, product handling/storage areas, and 

other equipment to reduce the potential for contamination.”

F-7.6 

(formerly F-8.6) 

ADDED: 

• water tanks and other water holding containers (e.g., cisterns, water 

totes, agricultural chemical tanks, dust control tanks),

• water

REMOVED: 

• “such as those used for dust control, the water”

F-8.1 

(formerly F-9.1) 

ADDED: 

• risk

F-9.3 

(formerly F10.3) 

ADDED: 

• If an antimicrobial process or chemical treatment is used for harvest or 

post-harvest water, it shall be used in accordance with manufacturer 

instructions and the operation’s written SOP.

• antimicrobial pesticide (e.g., sanitizer or disinfectant)
 

 

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Section Changes 

F-9.3 • Treatment is delivered in a manner to ensure that the treated water is 

(formerly F10.3) 

consistently safe and of adequate sanitary quality for its intended use 

and/or consistently meets the relevant microbial quality criteria 

indicated by current industry standard or prevailing regulation. 

Treatment is monitored at a frequency to meet treatment objectives. 

Records shall be kept. 

• Operation develops, documents, and implements procedures for use of 

the antimicrobial system in compliance with manufacturer’s label and 

instructions including monitoring for meeting the established 

acceptance criteria. 

REPLACED: “recirculated” with “re-used” 

REMOVED: 

• “if water is re used SOPs address antimicrobial treatment”

• “Approved antimicrobial”

F-9.4 (NEW) ADDED: 

• If water contacting product or food contact surfaces is re-used, it shall 

be treated using a registered or approved antimicrobial process or 

chemical treatment.

• Mandatory requirement “•”

• Re-used water shall be managed using an antimicrobial treatment 

sufficient to prevent cross-contamination, unless current industry 

standard or prevailing regulation provide an alternative.

• Auditor reviews water treatment process and evidence of compliance 

with regulation and the operation’s established procedure.

• Operation suspends operation until water treatment functions to 

prevent risk of product contamination. Affected product and product 

handling areas are evaluated for potential contamination and 

disposition.

F-9.6 and P-6.7 

(formerly F10.5 and P-7.9) 

REPLACED: 

• “prevailing regulation or industry guidelines” with “with current 

industry standards or prevailing regulations”

F-10.2 

(formerly F11.2) 

ADDED: 

• And packaging

F-10.4 

(formerly F11.4) 

ADDED: 

• Packing and packaging materials

REMOVED:
 

 

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Standard 

Effective Date: February 2024 Page 15 of 24 

Section Changes 

F-10.4 • “other” 

F-11.6 REPLACED: 

(formerly F- • “Prevents” with “minimizes”

12.6) • “be designed to maintain” with “keep”

• “particular” with “Care”

F-11.7 

(formerly F12.7) 

ADDED: 

• Current

• Or prevailing regulation

F-11.8.a 

(formerly F12.8.a 

ADDED: 

• inspect harvested and/or staged product for visible contamination prior 

to leaving the field.

REMOVED:

• ensure that all potential hazards have been addressed prior to transport.

P-1.1 ADDED: 

• Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)

P-2.1 

(formerly P-3.1) 

REPLACED: 

• “hazard analysis” with “risk assessment”

P-2.1.a 

(formerly P3.1.a) 

ADDED 

• Risk assessment

• Packinghouse risk assessment

P-4.1 

(formerly P-5.1) 

ADDED: 

• And well maintained to prevent bacterial harborage

P-4.4 

(formerly P-5.4) 

ADDED: 

• or tools (e.g., test strips, titration kits)

• electronic devices

• (within valid expiration date)

• parameters

• Calibration of measuring and monitoring equipment (thermometers, 

pH meters, scales, chemical application equipment, or other 

monitoring devices) is performed using an established method or 

according to manufacturer’s instructions. Records shall be kept.

• to verify that an established method or manufacturer’s instructions are 

followed

• Reviews
 

 

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Effective Date: February 2024 Page 16 of 24 

Section Changes 

P-4.4 

(formerly P-5.4) 

REPLACED: 

• “ORP” with “in-line”

• “requirements” with “parameters”

P-4.5 

(formerly P-5.5) 

ADDED: 

• and conform to current industry standard or prevailing regulation.

P-5.1 ADDED: 

(formerly P-6.1) • A preventive maintenance schedule with related SOPs shall be 

established.

• written preventative maintenance

• equipment,

• maintenance

• Floors are maintained to minimize and/or facilitate the removal of 

standing water.

• maintenance schedule

REMOVED:

• cleaning and sanitation

• preventive maintenance and/or master cleaning schedule

• cleaned and

P-6.1.b REMOVED 

P-5.2 (NEW) ADDED: 

• A master cleaning schedule with related SOPs shall be established.

• WP, R

• Mandatory requirement “•”

• There is a written cleaning schedule for all food and non-food contact 

surfaces including equipment, floors, drains, walls, ceilings, and other 

surfaces which may pose a source of product contamination. 

Established SOPs shall include instructions, person(s) responsible, 

specific frequency, and cleaning products and concentration. 

Sanitation tools must be appropriate for their designated purpose.

• Auditor reviews cleaning records and associated SOPs and observes 

that food and non-food contact surfaces are cleaned in a manner and 

frequency sufficient to preventing product contamination.

• Operation develops a master cleaning schedule with related SOPs. 

Cleaning deficiencies are corrected. Retraining is performed and 

documented. Affected product is evaluated for potential contamination 

and disposition.

P-5.3 ADDED: 
 

 

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Standard 

Effective Date: February 2024 Page 17 of 24 

Section Changes 

P-5.3 • Cleaning and sanitation protocols are reviewed and updated 

(formerly P-6.2) respective to temporary repairs. Equipment is cleaned and sanitized 

after repair prior to being used. 

• of permanent repairs and cleaning and sanitation protocols. 

P-5.7 

(formerly P-6.7) 

REMOVED: 

• Written

P-6.1 

(formerly P-7.1) 

ADDED: 

• Postharvest

P-6.4 REPLACED: 

(formerly P-7.4) • “Shall be performed that takes into consideration” with “includes”

REMOVED:

• An initial

P-6.5 ADDED: 

(formerly P-7.6) • a registered or

• according to current industry standard or prevailing regulation

REMOVED:

• “or commodity specific standards provide an alternative.

• Treatments shall comply with prevailing regulation or the country in 

which the product is intended to be traded, whichever is more 

stringent”

P-6.6 ADDED: 

(formerly P-7.8) • postharvest

• treatment

• Treatment is delivered in a manner to ensure that the treated water is 

consistently safe and of adequate sanitary quality for its intended use 

and/or consistently meets the relevant microbial quality criteria 

indicated by current industry standard or prevailing regulation. 

Treatment is monitored at a frequency to meet treatment objectives. 

Records shall be kept.

• Auditor reviews water use SOP for completeness and observes water 

treatment records for adequacy and consistency of treatment. Water 

treatment outcomes align with current industry standard or prevailing 

regulation.

• label and instructions including monitoring for meeting the established 

acceptance criteria established by current industry standard or 

prevailing regulation.

• Retraining is performed and documented

REMOVED:

• “wash”
 

 

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Standard 

Effective Date: February 2024 Page 18 of 24 

Section Changes 

P-6.6 • Operation shall have a procedure that includes minimum limits 

(formerly P-7.8) concentration for antimicrobial in postharvest wash water for food 

safety (e.g., washing, cooling, commodity movement). Procedure shall 

include how to control, monitor and record use of wash water 

antimicrobial as needed to assure compliance with minimum 

concentration and labeled use limits. Operation shall have a procedure 

as to what corrective actions are taken if criteria are not met. 

Monitoring shall be performed, as appropriate to specific operation, to 

demonstrate that acceptance criteria have been met. Records shall be 

kept.” 

• Auditor reviews operational procedures, and antimicrobial use, 

monitoring records, product label, and corrective actions records for 

compliance. 

P-7.1 ADDED: 

(formerly P-8.1) • And labels

REMOVED:

• “on”

P-7.5 

(formerly P-8.5) 

REMOVED: 

• “If produce does not normally contact the ground during production”

P-8.1 ADDED: 

(formerly P-9.1) • Current

REPLACED:

• “not pose a” with “minimize”

P-8.3 

(formerly P-9.3) 

ADDED: 

• And equipment

P-8.4 ADDED: 

(formerly P-9.4) • Food packaging and packing materials shall be stored in a manner that 

minimizes contamination.

• Food packaging and packing materials

REMOVED:

• “Materials and”

• “Protected from contaminants”

Table 2. Requirement Numbers across Harmonized Standard Versions 

2024 Harmonized 

Standard 

Previous 2020 

Harmonized Standard 

International Fresh 

Harmonized Standard 

G-1.1 G-1.1 1.1.1. 
 

 

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2024 Harmonized 

Standard 

Previous 2020 

Harmonized Standard 

International Fresh 

Harmonized Standard 

G-1.2 G-1.2 1.1.2. 

G-1.3 G-1.3 1.1.3. 

G-2.1 G-2.1 1.2.1. 

G-2.2 G-2.2 1.2.2. 

G-2.3 G-2.3 1.14.1. 

G-2.4 (NEW) 1.14.2. 

G-3.1 G-3.1 1.4.1. 

G-3.2 G-3.2 1.4.2. 

G-3.3 G-3.3 1.4.3. 

G-4.1 G-4.1 1.5.1. 

G-4.2 G-4.2 1.5.2. 

G-4.3 G-4.3 1.5.3. 

G-5.1 G-5.1 1.6.1. 

G-5.2 G-5.2 1.6.2. 

G-5.3 

G-5.3 G-5.4 1.6.3. 

G-6.1 G-6.1 1.7.1. 

G-6.2 G-6.2 1.7.2. 

G-7.1 G-7.1 1.8.1. 

G-7.2 (NEW) 1.8.2. 

G-7.3 (NEW) 1.8.3. 

G-8.1 G-8.1 1.9.1. 

G-8.2 G-8.2 5.16.1 

G-9.1 G-9.1 1.10.1. 

G-10.1 G-10.1 1.11.1. 

G-10.2 G-10.2 1.11.2. 

G-10.3 G-10.3 1.11.3. 

G-10.4 G-10.4 1.11.4. 

G-10.5 G-10.5 1.11.5. 

G-10.6 G-10.6 1.11.6. 

G-10.7 G-10.7 1.11.7. 

G-10.8 G-10.8 1.11.8. 

G-10.9 G-10.9 1.11.9. 

G-10.10 G-10.10 1.11.10. 
 

 

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2024 Harmonized 

Standard 

Previous 2020 

Harmonized Standard 

International Fresh 

Harmonized Standard 

G-10.11 G-10.11 1.11.11. 

G-10.12 G-10.12 1.11.12. 

G-10.13 G-10.13 1.11.13. 

G-10.14 G-10.14 1.11.14. 

G-10.15 G-10.15 1.11.15. 

G-10.16 G-10.16 1.11.16. 

G-10.17 G-10.17 1.11.17. 

G-10.18 G-10.18 1.11.18. 

G-10.19 G-10.19 1.11.19. 

G-10.20 G-10.20 1.11.20. 

G-10.21 G-10.21 1.11.21. 

G-10.22 G-10.22 1.11.22. 

G-11.1 F-2.1, P-2.1 1.12.2. 

G-11.2 F-2.2, P-2.2 1.12.4. 

G-11.3 F-2.3, P-2.3 1.12.5. 

G-11.4 F-2.4 1.12.6. 

G-11.5 (NEW) 1.12.3. 

G-11.6 F-2.5 1.12.7. 

G-11.7 F-8.7, P-6.3 1.12.1. 

G-11.8 (NEW) 1.12.8 

G-12.1 G-11.1 1.13.1. 

G-12.2 G-11.2 1.13.2. 

G-13.1 G-12.1 1.3.1. 

G-13.2 G-12.2 1.3.2. 

F-1.1 F-1.1 2.1.1. 

F-1.2 F-1.2 2.1.2. 

F-1.3 F-1.3 2.1.3. 

F-2.1 F-3.1 2.2.1.1. 

F-2.2 F-3.2 2.2.1.2. 

F-2.3 F-3.3 2.2.1.3. 

F-3.1 F-4.1 2.2.2.1. 

F-4.1 F-5.1 2.2.3.1. 

F-4.2 F-5.2 2.2.3.2. 

F-4.3 F-5.3 2.2.3.3. 
 

 

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2024 Harmonized 

Standard 

Previous 2020 

Harmonized Standard 

International Fresh 

Harmonized Standard 

F-4.4 F-5.4 2.2.3.4. 

F-4.5 F-5.5 2.2.3.5. 

F-4.6 F-5.6 2.2.3.6. 

F-5.1 F-6.1 2.3.1. 

F-5.2 F-6.2 2.3.3. 

F-5.3 F-6.3 2.3.2. 

F-6.1 F-7.1 2.4.1. 

F-6.2 F-7.2 2.4.2. 

F-6.3 (NEW) 2.4.3. 

F-7.1 F-8.1 2.5.1. 

F-7.2 F-8.2 2.5.2. 

F-7.3 F-8.3 2.5.3. 

F-7.4 F-8.4 2.5.4. 

F-7.5 F-8.5 2.5.5. 

F-7.6 F-8.6 2.5.6. 

F-8.1 F-9.1 3.1.1. 

F-9.1 F-10.1 3.2.1. 

F-9.2 F-10.2 3.2.2. 

F-9.3 F-10.3 3.2.3. 

F-9.4 (NEW) 3.2.4. 

F-9.5 F-10.4 3.2.5. 

F-9.6 F-10.5 3.2.6. 

F-10.1 F-11.1 3.3.1. 

F-10.2 F-11.2 3.3.2. 

F-10.3 F-11.3 3.3.3. 

F-10.4 F-11.4 3.3.4. 

F-11.1 F-12.1 3.4.1. 

F-11.2 F-12.2 3.4.2. 

F-11.3 F-12.3 3.4.3. 

F-11.4 F-12.4 3.4.4. 

F-11.5 F-12.5 3.4.5. 

F-11.6 F-12.6 3.4.6. 

F-11.7 F-12.7 3.4.7. 

F-12.1 F-13.1 5.3.1. 
 

 

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2024 Harmonized 

Standard 

Previous 2020 

Harmonized Standard 

International Fresh 

Harmonized Standard 

F-12.2 F-13.2 5.5.4. 

F-13.1 F-14.1 4.1.1. 

F-13.2 F-14.2 4.1.2. 

P-1.1 P-1.1 5.2.1. 

P-2.1 P-3.1 5.1.1. 

P-2.2 P-3.2 5.6.1. 

P-2.3 P-3.3 5.6.8. 

P-2.4 P-3.4 5.10.1. 

P-2.5 P-3.5 5.12.3. 

P-2.6 P-3.6 5.7.1. 

P-3.1 P-4.1 5.15.2. 

P-3.2 P-4.2 5.15.1. 

P-3.3 P-4.3 5.15.3. 

P-4.1 P-5.1 5.12.1. 

P-4.2 P-5.2 5.12.2. 

P-4.3 P-5.3 5.11.1. 

P-4.4 P-5.4 5.6.10. 

P-4.5 P-5.5 5.6.11. 

P-5.1 P-6.1 5.6.3. 

P-5.2 (NEW) 5.6.4 

P-5.3 P-6.2 5.6.7. 

P-5.4 P-6.4 5.6.5. 

P-5.5 P-6.5 5.6.6. 

P-5.6 P-6.6 5.6.13. 

P-5.7 P-6.7 5.9.1. 

P-5.8 P-6.8 5.6.14. 

P-5.9 P-6.9 5.6.15. 

P-5.10 P-6.10 5.6.16. 

P-5.11 P-6.11 5.6.2. 

P-6.1 P-7.1 5.4.1. 

P-6.2 P-7.2 5.4.2. 

P-6.3 P-7.3 3.2.2. 

P-6.4 P-7.4 5.4.3. 

P-6.5 P-7.6 5.4.5. 
 

 

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Effective Date: February 2024 Page 23 of 24 

2024 Harmonized 

Standard 

Previous 2020 

Harmonized Standard 

International Fresh 

Harmonized Standard 

P-6.6 P-7.8 5.4.6. 

P-6.7 P-7.9 3.2.6. 

P-6.8 P-7.10 5.4.4. 

P-6.9 P-7.11 5.4.8. 

P-7.1 P-8.1 5.5.1. 

P-7.2 P-8.2 5.5.2. 

P-7.3 P-8.3 5.5.3. 

P-7.4 P-8.4 5.5.4. 

P-7.5 P-8.5 5.5.5. 

P-7.6 P-8.6 5.5.6. 

P-7.7 P-8.7 5.5.7. 

P-7.8 P-8.8 5.5.8. 

P-7.9 P-8.9 5.5.9. 

P-8.1 P-9.1 5.8.1. 

P-8.2 P-9.2 5.8.2. 

P-8.3 P-9.3 5.8.3. 

P-8.4 P-9.4 5.8.4. 

P-8.5 P-9.5 5.8.5. 

P-8.6 P-9.6 5.8.6. 

P-8.7 P-9.7 5.14.1. 

P-8.8 P-9.8 5.6.9. 

P-8.9 P-9.9 5.6.12. 

P-9.1 P-10.1 6.1.1. 

P-9.2 P-10.2 6.1.2. 

P-9.3 P-10.3 6.1.3. 

P-9.4 P-10.4 6.1.4. 

P-9.5 P-10.5 6.2.1. 

P-9.6 P-10.6 6.2.2. 
 

 

 

 

 

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