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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Garlic & Oil

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  • From: Robert Farr <rbfarr AT erols.com>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Garlic & Oil
  • Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 10:20:19 -0400

Okay, I think I can set the record straight here, as I run a food
business (regulated by the Va. Dept. of Food Safety (Va. Dept. of
Agriculture) and the FDA).

To prepare most foods for sale to the public, one must be certified by
the USDA. To do this, you attend a Better Process Control School,
conducted by organizations licensed to do so by the USDA. Most Food
Science depts. of land-grant universities conduct these classes (ours is
Virginia Tech, though we got our certification from Penn. State).

Garlic in vinegar is a regulated product, and this is considered an
acidified food. Garlic in oil is also regulated, as must be
water-bathed (acidified foods can be "hot-filled" and hermetically
sealed).

To learn more about all of this, visit the FDA's Center for Food Safety
and Nutrition web site - http://www.cfsan.fda.gov.

Garlic in oil often can grow the botulin toxin; in fact, it's one of the
worst of the botulins. Just because Texas A&M said so, doesn't mean
it's not true! While I often find government regulations are
pernicious, unnecessary, and unfair - witness what the USDA has done to
small farmers who want to process meat on farm and to farmers who want
to offer raw-milk cheeses - the threat of botulism is a very real
threat. This is often caused by folks who don't employ the correct
manufacturing processes and who have not attended food safety classes.

Of course, there are some unregulated products. Many jams, jellies,
honeys, and mustards are not regulated - see the FDA site again.
However, all products offered for sale should be tested by your local
Food Service agency (usually, such testing is free). You'll get a
report (which, for certain foods - see the FDA site! - needs to be filed
with the FDA). The paperwork is a bit cumbersome, but really not that
bad. And if there is ever a liability issue (i.e., someone claims s/he
got sick from your product) the report and the FDA filing are essential
pieces in CYA.

Finally, anyone offering prepared foods for sale should have an
insurance policy. Such a policy will help ensure you don't lose your
farm if something goes wrong. We find it essential - and as we sell our
sauces and salsas to stores, are required by the stores to be insured.

If anyone has more questions, just ask -

--
Robert Farr
The Chile Man
(540) 668-7160

* A sustainable farm producing hot sauce marinades, salsas, mustards,
and barbecue.
* Subscribe to our online newsletter at http://www.thechileman.com
* Check out this article about us from The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/style/food/A8659-2001Jul17.html
* Open Houses and Farm Tours throughout the year. See our web site for
details!






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