Perform the USDA GAP Audit using eAuditor
USDA GAP Audit (United States Department of Agriculture Good Agricultural Practices Audit) is a food safety verification program that evaluates how well fruit and vegetable producers, packers, and handlers comply with Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) to minimize the risk of microbial contamination during the production, harvesting, packing, and handling of fresh produce.
Performing the USDA GAP Audit using eAuditor provides fruit and vegetable producers, packers, and handlers with a structured, digital framework to evaluate compliance with USDA’s Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs). This process helps verify that farm operations reduce food safety risks through preventive practices in growing, harvesting, handling, and storing fresh produce. eAuditor enhances the audit experience by enabling real-time data capture, photographic documentation, corrective action tracking, and streamlined reporting, ensuring your operation is ready for USDA certification or third-party audits.
3.1 Purpose of Performing the USDA GAP Audit Using eAuditor
Using eAuditor for the USDA GAP Audit enables:
- Efficient, standardized inspection of on-farm food safety practices
- Real-time documentation of compliance with USDA GAP and GHP (Good Handling Practices)
- Identification and tracking of hazards across multiple production areas
- Creation of a digital trail for traceability, audits, and corrective action management
- Improved audit readiness for USDA, Harmonized GAP, or buyer-specific standards
3.2 USDA GAP Audit Sections Digitized in eAuditor
eAuditor digitizes the USDA GAP checklist into structured sections for ease of inspection, which may include:
- General Farm Review
- Worker Health and Hygiene
- Agricultural Water Use
- Soil Amendments and Manure
- Animal and Wildlife Control
- Field Sanitation and Harvesting Practices
- Packing and Post-Harvest Handling
- Transportation and Traceability
Each section uses:
- Pass/Fail, Yes/No/NA fields for consistency with USDA scoring
- Numeric entry fields (e.g., water testing dates, compost temperature)
- Required photo evidence fields
- Comment boxes for observations or justifications
- Assignment of corrective actions with deadlines
- Inspector digital sign-off, timestamp, and location tracking
3.3 Key Areas of USDA GAP Audit Inspection Using eAuditor
3.3.1 General Farm Review
- Maps of production areas are available and current
- Risk assessments for microbial hazards are documented
- A traceability system exists and supports product recall within 2 hours
- Records are organized and stored for the required periods
In eAuditor: Upload farm maps, record audit trail links, and assign documentation updates as needed.
3.3.2 Worker Health and Hygiene
- Staff ensure handwashing stations and toilets are clean, well-stocked, and properly located.
- Staff clean, stock, and maintain handwashing stations and toilets in appropriate locations.
- Workers wear clean clothes and necessary protective gear
- Policies are in place for sick worker exclusion
In eAuditor: Document training completion dates, take photos of sanitation stations, and flag missing supplies or expired materials.
3.3.3 Agricultural Water Use
- Water sources are identified (surface, well, municipal)
- Staff conduct water testing for generic E. coli at required intervals.
- Is water applied to crops using safe methods (drip, overhead, spray)?
- Staff maintain records of test results and treatment actions.
In eAuditor: Log test dates, upload lab reports, and assign re-testing if required.
3.3.4 Soil Amendments and Manure
- Staff document the use of raw or treated manure.
- Treated compost meets process validation standards
- Application is done at proper intervals before harvest (e.g., 120-day or 90-day rule)
- Compost is stored separately and protected from contamination
In eAuditor: Enter compost temperature logs, attach supplier records, and document field application timing.
3.3.5 Animal and Wildlife Control
- Fields are monitored for wildlife intrusion before harvest
- Domestic animals are restricted from growing and packing areas
- Animal control strategies (fencing, traps) are implemented and documented
- Signs of animal presence are logged and addressed
In eAuditor: Attach field photos, log monitoring records, and assign field re-inspections if needed.
3.3.6 Field Sanitation and Harvesting
- Harvest tools and containers are cleaned before use
- Containers are not placed directly on the ground
- Field sanitation units are available and maintained
- Product contact surfaces are clean and free from foreign material
In eAuditor: Conduct visual assessments with photos; assign re-cleaning or equipment replacement as needed.
3.3.7 Packinghouse and Post-Harvest Handling
- Construct and maintain packing areas to prevent contamination.
- Monitor and sanitize water used for washing or cooling produce.
- Worker practices (handwashing, glove use) are enforced
- Remove waste regularly and store it securely.
In eAuditor: Monitor chlorine or sanitizer levels, document line sanitation schedules, and flag pest sightings.
3.3.8 Transportation and Traceability
- Inspect vehicles before loading.
- Containers and pallets are clean and undamaged
- Shipping records include product name, date, and traceability codes
- Staff perform and document recall mock drills annually.
In eAuditor: Capture shipping tag photos, attach recall drill results, and assign logistics audits if needed.
3.4 Conducting the USDA GAP Audit Using eAuditor – Step-by-Step
- Select or customize the USDA GAP Audit checklist within eAuditor
- Walk through production, harvest, and storage areas, following audit sections in sequence
- Record observations, test results, and photos directly into the checklist
- Assign corrective actions where non-conformances are identified (e.g., missed hygiene training, overdue water tests)
- Complete the audit with digital sign-off, time/date/location stamps
- Generate a comprehensive report, including compliance scores and action items, for internal records or USDA submission
3.5 Post-Audit Monitoring and Reporting
Using eAuditor’s analytics features, producers can:
- Review compliance scores over time or across multiple locations
- Track the status of open and closed corrective actions
- Schedule future audits with reminders
- Prepare for USDA re-audits or harmonized GAP verification
- Export documentation for third-party auditors, retailers, or buyers
3.6 Benefits of Using eAuditor for USDA GAP Audits
- Streamlines and standardizes food safety audits across locations
- Reduces paperwork and improves efficiency
- Ensures complete documentation and visual records for every step
- Supports audit readiness and traceability for recalls
- Simplifies staff accountability and corrective action tracking
- Enhances buyer confidence in food safety controls
Summary
Performing a USDA GAP Audit using eAuditor modernizes how growers and handlers manage fresh produce safety. By digitizing inspection tasks—across hygiene, water use, traceability, and more—eAuditor helps ensure compliance with USDA guidelines while improving operational efficiency, documentation quality, and audit preparedness.