Spreadsheet: 0a19ffc7-181b-4280-a43e-2542ff6f5b9f
Sheet: Checklist

Name of Auditee:
Date of Audit:
Q # | Requirement | C | CAN | IAR | NA | Auditor Comments
1 | Management Responsibility
1.1 | Operation has designated an individual responsible for food safety.
1.2 | Responsible individual has evidence of training in food safety relevant to tomatoes.
1.3 | Operation has current copies of the Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Fresh Tomato Supply Chain, Food Safety Programs and Auditing Protocol for the Fresh Tomato Supply Chain and additional food safety documents as required by state and/or federal regulation.
1.4 | Operation has procedures for conducting self-audits and conducts self-audits to verify compliance with established internal policies and procedures.
1.5 | Operation has a written procedure and timelines for implementing and documenting corrective actions.
1.6 | Operation has a “zero tolerance” policy for controllable practices and conditions that result in immediate food safety risks.
2 | Farm History and Assessment
2.1 | An environmental assessment has been conducted, including potential hazards on the property, past property use and adjacent land.
2.2 | The environmental assessment shall consider domestic animal operations.
2.3 | Grounds are reasonably free of litter, debris and standing water.
2.4 | System for removing waste materials from product handling area works efficiently.
2.5 | Outside garbage receptacles/dumpsters are covered or are located away from greenhouse entrances, and areas around such sites are reasonably clean.
3 | Greenhouse
3.1 | The greenhouse shall be enclosed.
3.2 | A foot dip station or other measure should be used to prevent the introduction of harmful microorganisms or agents and a written record of the sanitizer and maintenance kept.
3.3 | [NAME] and brittle plastic items are excluded to the extent practical from and/or protected in packing or processing areas. Lights have shatterproof bulbs or covers in all areas where tomatoes or packaging are handled or held.
4 | Soil and Soil Amendments
4.1 | Soil or other growth medium shall be stored in a manner that minimizes opportunities for contamination.
4.2 | Fertilizer manufacturer’s instructions for usage and storage shall be followed.
4.3 | If fertilizers containing manures or composts are used, only properly treated (composted or heat treated) manures are allowed for use in greenhouses. Biosolids are not permitted.
5 | Preharvest Agricultural Water
5.1 | The sources of water used in the greenhouse are documented.
5.2 | The type of irrigation used (flood, drip, sprinkler overhead, others) is documented.
5.3 | A sanitary survey was completed for each water source.
5.4 | Water tests are conducted.
5.5 | If water is treated to bring it into compliance, records are maintained of treatments and testing.
5.6 | Non-Foliar The water test meets EPA recreational water standards for E. coli; i.e., 40 CFR Part 131.41(c).
5.7 | Foliar The water test meets EPA microbial standards for drinking water; i.e., 40 CFR Part 141.63.
6 | Produce Containers and Packaging Materials
 | A. Pest Control in Facility
6.1 | Operation has a written pest control program, performed by a trained pest control operator. Pest control operators are licensed where required by prevailing regulation or law.
6.2 | There is a clear area surrounding the facility to deter pest infestation.
6.3 | There is no evidence of significant pest populations (birds, rodents, insects) reasonably likely to contaminate tomatoes.
6.4 | There are no bait stations containing toxic baits inside the facility.
6.5 | Traps do not contain toxic bait and are placed at the interval and location recommended by the pest control operator. Traps must be labeled with a number or other identifier and their locations are documented on a map.
6.6 | Bug zappers and insect attractant devices, if used, are not placed in a location where product or food handling equipment or food packaging materials may become adulterated.
6.7 | Operation has a written policy prohibiting domestic animals in the greenhouse.
 | [NAME]
6.8 | Pesticide chemicals and their use must comply with all requirements of national (e.g., EPA) registration and any federal, state or local regulations.
6.9 | Equipment used to apply pesticides shall be maintained and calibrated at a frequency sufficient to assure accuracy of delivery.
6.1 | Water used to mix pesticides meets EPA microbial standards for drinking water; i.e., 40 CFR Part 141.63.
7 | Tomato or Equipment Sanitizing Agents Used During Harvest
7.1 | All compounds used to clean or sanitize food contact containers, tools, utensils, equipment or other food contact surfaces are approved for that use by the US EPA, FDA or other prevailing agency. Actual use conforms to label directions.
7.2 | Chemicals used on product that are not registered pesticides may be permitted for food contact use if allowed under regulations of the FDA or prevailing agency.
7.3 | All chemicals, cleaning compounds and solvents are stored in a secure and locked location.
8 | Equipment, Containers and Packaging Materials
8.1 | Harvest and other food contact implements, buckets and totes are clean and sanitized as necessary according to SOP.
8.2 | Reusable containers and food contact equipment and utensils shall be constructed of impervious materials that can be easily cleaned and sanitized.
8.3 | All containers shall be marked for their intended use (finished produce containers, trash containers, etc.).
8.4 | Operation has a written procedure for inspecting incoming packaging material.
8.5 | Finished product containers are prohibited from direct contact with the floor, and pallets, slip sheets, and supports used to keep product containers off the floor are clean and in good condition.
8.6 | Bins, trays, and pallets shall be stored in a secure, clean location.
9 | Cleaning and Washing Procedures
 | A. Cleaning Materials Including Cloths
9.1 | Operation shall have a policy that cloths, towels, or other cleaning materials shall not be used to wipe tomatoes.
 | B. Product Wash Water Management
9.2 | Only sanitizers or sanitizer systems registered or approved by EPA or the prevailing regulatory agency for their specific intended use may be used in the dump tank wash water, on the spray line or other food contact purposes.
9.3 | Wash water sanitizer is used in accordance with operational procedure, manufacturer instructions, and records are kept.
9.4 | In systems where tomatoes are submerged or dwell in water, water temperature is monitored and controlled. Water temperature should be at least 10ºF above highest measured pulp temperature of tomatoes when entering the water. If operation can demonstrate retention times are never more than two minutes and water submersion does not exceed 1 ft, water temperature shall be controlled to be not be less than highest measured pulp temperature.
9.5 | Operations utilizing spray systems in place of whole tomato immersion shall design the line so that the entire tomato surface is rinsed.
9.6 | Re-circulated and reused water is changed at least daily, and records of changes are kept.
9.7 | If water quality is based upon a chlorine-based sanitizer and Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP), the process shall be targeted to be at least 800 mV. ORP levels shall not be less than 650 mV, measured at the exit of the product from the water system, unless validation data are available to demonstrate a lower ORP is effective under operating conditions.
9.8 | If an ORP system is used, an independent measurement is used to verify compliance.
9.9 | If water quality is based upon an aqueous chlorine dioxide sanitizer, chlorine dioxide levels shall not be less than 1 ppm, measured at the exit of the product from the water system, unless validation data are available to demonstrate a lower level is effective under operating conditions.
9.1 | If water quality is based upon a peroxyacetic, peracetic or peracid system, levels shall not be less than 30 ppm, measured at the exit of the product from the water system, unless validation data are available to demonstrate a lower level is effective under operating conditions.
9.11 | If a sanitizer system other than aqueous chlorine dioxide, peracid, or hypochlorous and ORP is used, the system shall be operated and controlled to levels of equivalent efficacy of pathogen cross contamination control in tomato wash systems.
9.12 | All instruments used to measure temperature, pH, sanitizer levels and or other important devices used to monitor requirements in this section shall be calibrated at a frequency sufficient to assure continuous accuracy.
9.13 | Instruments, test methods or test strips used to monitor requirements shall be appropriate to their use and sufficiently sensitive to their intended purpose.
10 | Transportation
10.1 | Shipping unit is clean, functional and free of objectionable odors before loading. A responsible individual signs the completed checklist.
10.2 | Vehicles and containers used to transport produce shall not be used to transport trash, animal carcasses or raw animal products that may be a source of microbial contamination unless cleaned and sanitized by a procedure sufficient to ensure that microbial contamination of produce does not occur.
11 | Employee [NAME] and [NAME]
 | A. Employee Hygiene Policies and [NAME]
11.1 | Clean and sanitary toilet facilities are provided for all employees and toilets are made from cleanable materials and are cleaned and sanitized daily or sufficiently often to be maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.
11.2 | The number of toilet facilities meets state and federal requirements.
11.3 | Toilets are located within a five minute walk of work areas.
11.4 | Restrooms should not open directly into greenhouse production areas.
11.5 | All toilet facilities contain toilet paper.
11.6 | There is a program for the sanitary disposal of used toilet paper.
11.7 | Hand washing facilities, with soap, water and disposable hand-drying towels, or air blowers, and refuse containers are provided.
11.8 | If permanent handwashing facilities are not used, gray water is captured and disposed of away from tomato handling areas.
11.9 | If portable hand wash water tanks are used, they are cleaned and sanitized and the water is changed periodically.
11.1 | The source of water used to fill hand washing tanks meets the microbial standard for potable water and is documented.
11.11 | Toilet and hand washing facilities are inspected by a designated individual at a sufficient frequency during use to assure cleanliness, condition and adequate supplies.
 | B. First Aid Policies
11.12 | There is a written policy describing procedures which specify handling/disposition of produce or treatment of food contact surfaces that have come into contact with blood or other bodily fluids.
11.13 | There is a written policy instructing workers to seek prompt treatment for cuts, abrasions and other injuries and first aid supplies are provided.
 | [NAME] and Conditions
11.14 | There is a written Hygiene Practices policy including, but not limited to, policies and procedures on hand washing, toilet use, and requiring handwashing at beginning of shift and prior to returning to production line, for all employees and visitors.
11.15 | Policies shall require hand washing with soap and potable water at the appropriate time, such as before starting work, after use of toilet facilities, after breaks and when hands may have become contaminated. Policy shall apply to employees, outside contractors, inspectors, and visitors. Compliance is emphasized by management.
11.16 | There are signs, either in the appropriate language or pictorially, reminding workers to wash their hands after using the toilet.
11.17 | If gloves are used, there must be a written SOP regarding their use.
11.18 | Operation shall have a written policy regarding employees’ outer garments.
11.19 | SOPs establishing the operation’s illness policy provide that workers who show signs of illness (vomiting, jaundice, diarrhea) or open or exposed sores or lesions on their hands are not permitted to perform job duties where they will come in direct contact with raw product or food contact surfaces.
11.2 | There is a written policy regarding the use of hair restraints.
11.21 | There is a written policy regarding jewelry, nail polish and false nails in the workplace.
11.22 | Food and tobacco products are only in designated areas as specified in company SOP.
11.23 | Drinking water shall be provided in fountains or single use containers. Drinking water containers shall be handled in a manner that prevents them from becoming sources of contamination.
11.24 | There is a written policy prohibiting the storage and use of personal items outside of designated areas.
12 | Education and Training
12.1 | Employees shall receive mandatory safe product handling and personal hygiene education at time of hire with reinforcements as detailed in company SOP.
12.2 | Individuals shall be trained on all food safety requirements specific to their assigned duties.
12.3 | Workers are trained and follow the policy that product dropped on the floor is discarded.
12.4 | Supervisors are trained to look for, recognize and react to symptoms of potentially infectious illness.
13 | [NAME] and Traceability
 | A. Greenhouse Packing
13.1 | Documentation of greenhouse packed tomatoes shall include sufficient information about the growing and harvest of each lot (i.e. greenhouse location and history, grower, personnel/crew involved in the harvesting and packing) as well as the customer receiving the product to allow for the appropriate tracing of product.
13.2 | Containers shall be accurately labeled with commodity name, greenhouse firm name and information sufficient to allow for source and lot identification.
13.3 | Documentation maintained for each lot shipped shall include sufficient information about the customer receiving the product to allow for the appropriate tracing of product.
 | B. Packinghouse Packed Greenhouse Tomatoes
13.4 | The greenhouse shall maintain supply chain information available to the packinghouse to facilitate accurate traceability; i.e., quantity, greenhouse identification and date of harvest/pack.
 | C. Other
13.5 | There are written product tracing and recall procedures.
13.6 | Operation routinely tests the product tracing procedures.
13.7 | A successful mock recall test has been performed in the last 12 months.