Food safety with any fresh or fresh-cut fruit or vegetable has been and will continue to be a high profile topic across our country, and our world, for many years. As a result, the NWA continues to work with the NWPB in support of the Crisis Management program that the NWPB is leading. If at any time there is an issue related or reported to be related to food safety with watermelon, the team will engage in the process. The NWA is part of that team, and will be diligent in our collective efforts if such an issue should arise.

Additionally, the NWA has taken on the responsibility to develop a Certification communications program along with food safety guideline documents. This program will allow us to conduct farmer meetings across the country in conjunction with outreach sessions with the anticipated support of county extension agencies. This educational process will immediately begin following the completion of the watermelon program, and is anticipated to be available to the industry beginning in 2008.

“The 2nd edition of the Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Fresh Watermelon Supply Chain is now available for your use. Please call the NWA, USDA, your State’s Department of Agriculture or any of the third party audit firms with your questions or needs.

It is up to each and everyone of us to make sure that our farms and sheds (including laborers) are following best practices to minimize the possibilities that could plague our crop industry. Please join us in this effort, and continue to help the Watermelon Industry to be safe, healthy and nutritious.

NWA releases second edition of a Watermelon-specific Food Safety program for Farmers and Packers, the “Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Fresh Watermelon Supply Chain”
“Food safety has become a standard expectation of any produce industry to maintain and build consumer confidence. With the advent of produce outbreaks due to food safety issues, there has never been a more important time for our industry to build on our growing and handling practices to provide a safe, healthy watermelon supply. Although these guidelines are voluntary at this point in time, it is expected that they will become part of federal food safety legislation in the very near future. We look forward to supporting your efforts to implement these standards into your operation, to help you to protect our industry and your operation, to continue to provide a safe and healthy crop, and to continue to build consumer confidence. Together, we can make a difference.” Bob Morrissey, Executive Director National Watermelon Association, Inc.
Watermelon Food Safety Program Farm Self Audit Packer Self Audit Recordkeeping Documentation Logs Worker Hygiene and Training	Traceability HarvestMark Leger Case Study 2008 Frequently Asked Questions Supplemental Information and Detail Crisis Management

2009 Melon Standards
- FDA 2009 Melon Guidance
- Guide to minimize Microbial Food Safety

Traceability Case Study on Watermelons:
Produce Traceability Initiative releases their final recommendations and action plan
- HarvestMark Leger Case Study

2005 Melon Standards:
- Melon Food Safety Guidelines (Spanish)
- Melon Guidance Document
- http://www.cfsan.fda..gov/~dms/prodgui4.html

FDA Food Safety Plan
FDA outlines new Food Protection Plan

Food Safety Guidelines:
- Voluntary Food Safety Guidelines for Watermelon
- Food Safety Questionnaire
- Self Assessment Sheets
- USDA Grading & Certification
- Introduction to Voluntary Guidelines for Control of Microbial Hazards
- Traceability Committee Lays Groundwork for Industry-wide Standards
- UFPA Traceability