Fresh Produce Standards
RISK ASSESSMENT Version 5.1
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Key – Those standards which have greater significance (all other standards are normal)
Recommendation – Those which do not affect certification
New – A completely new standard which the member must now adhere to
Revised – A standard that has changed and requires the member to take some different or additional action to before
Upgraded – The standard has been upgraded to a Key standard or from a Recommendation to a full standard
Appendix – Referenced in ‘How you will be measured’. Indicates that additional information is provided in the Appendices, which are available at the end of each section.
Cropping Categories Fresh Produce
Category 0 - Those you can eat raw and have a significant risk or history of pathogen contamination
Category 1 - Those you can eat raw and which do not have a protective skin that is removed before eating; they may also have a significant risk or history of pathogen contamination.
Category 2 - Those you can eat raw and which either have protective skin or grow clear of the ground, or that have no history of pathogen contamination.
Category 3 - Those that the customer always cooks.
An up-to-date list of the crop categories can be found on the Red Tractor website.
PR.RA.1 Key
A documented risk assessment has been completed, covering all process steps for each relevant crop from site selection, drilling or planting through to packing, storage and transportation of product. All crop production processes are considered to identify any physical, chemical, allergenic or microbiological food safety risks and suitable preventative actions are implemented.
How you will be measured
PR.RA.1.a
PR.RA.1.b
PR.RA.1.c
PR.RA.1.d
PR.RA.1.e
PR.RA.1.f
PR.RA.1.g
Risk Assessment
PR.RA.2
The Risk Assessment includes a flow diagram of the production process and identifies the points in the process where specifically identified risks occur
How you will be measured
PR.RA.2.a
PR.RA.2.b
Process Flow Diagram
PR.RA.3
Preventative actions are defined and implemented. Where Critical Control Points (CCPs) are identified, these are managed effectively.
How you will be measured
PR.RA.3.a
PR.RA.3.b
PR.RA.3.c
PR.RA.3.d
PR.RA.3.e
PR.RA.3.f
- Preventative Action Plan
– CCP Decision Tree
– Training Record
– CCP Monitoring Record
– CCP Failure Record
PR.RA.4
The Risk Assessment and preventative actions must be reviewed regularly and whenever processes/products change.
How you will be measured
PR.RA.4.a
PR.RA.4.b
PR.RA.4.c
- Risk Assessment (review date)
– Record of Risk Assessment review
PR.RA.5
Risk Assessment must be performed by suitably trained staff with a wide knowledge to ensure all aspects of the process have been thoroughly assessed
How you will be measured
PR.RA.5.a
PR.RA.5.b
Training Record
PR.RA.6 Key
All production sites are risk assessed and deemed suitable for use.
How you will be measured
PR.RA.6.a
PR.RA.6.b
PR.RA.6.c
PR.RA.6.d
PR.RA.6.e
PR.RA.6.f
Site Risk Assessments
PR.RA.8
Members understand the Red Tractor standards and complete Internal Audits to verify their effective implementation. (REVISED)
How you will be measured
PR.RA.8.a
PR.RA.8.b
PR.RA.8.c
- Internal audit (against Red Tractor Fresh Produce Standards)
– Internal Audit Report
http://freshproducetool.foodstandards.gov.scot/https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/microbials-keeping-fresh-produce-free-of-pathogens
More Standards
Download Fresh Produce Standards Manual
Download Fresh Produce Standards Manual – Including GLOBALG.A.P Module
Download the changes to the Fresh Produce Standards from 1 February 2025
Download watercress protocol
Download hops protocol
Useful Documents
UK Crops grown and risk categories
Fresh Produce assessment structure
- RA.1 – Further information on completing a Risk Assessment can be found in the Appendix.
Risks associated with water used in crop production (RA.1.f) may be assessed within a separate Water Risk Assessment or members may opt instead to cover this within the body of the main Risk Assessment. - RA.3 – RA.c – RA.f only relevant where a HACCP based approach to Risk Assessment is used and CCPs are identified
- RA.4 – A record of Risk Assessment review should clearly indicate that the risk assessment, flow diagram and preventative actions have been evaluated and compared to current circumstances, practices and risks to ensure this is an effective risk management system and accurately reflects current practices. Any relevant elements mentioned in RA.4.c should also be considered. The record ofreview should confirm when the review was completed and all persons involved. For very small businesses, it may be appropriate for the review to be completed by one person, but in most cases, it will be necessary to involve other personnel to ensure all relevant business areas are considered
- RA.5 – To demonstrate Best Practice, a certified training course covering risk assessment and food safety (e.g. HACCP training course) will provide the best foundation for effective risk assessment
- RA.6 – A production site may be defined as any primary production environment, including field, orchard and protected cropping locations. It is acceptable to group sites within one Site Risk Assessment for efficiency but only where the proximity of sites and nature of risk ensure that a consolidated approach is equally robust. Site Risk Assessments and the depth of focus given to review shall be commensurate to risk and the potential for circumstances to change. For farm environments sited within permanent, protected structures (e.g. glasshouse), it may be possible to consider all relevant risks within the body of the main Risk Assessment (RA.a). For largely consistent growing environments (e.g. orchard crops) it may be appropriate to just record a date of review if no details have changed. For annual crops with rotations, Site Risk Assessment will be an annual process.
- RA.8 – Self-assessment must include review of documentation and practical, operational activities. A suitable frequency for the completion of internal audits will vary based on the scale and complexity of operation and may also be influenced by seasonality. A minimum of one internal audit per year must be completed. In most cases, it will be appropriate to
complete more.
