Fruits, Vegetables & Specialty Crop Audits | Agricultural Marketing Service

The AMS Specialty Crops Program (SCP) offers a variety of auditing services to help companies meet the requirements of their customers or to differentiate their products in the marketplace through independent, third-party audits by USDA’s globally recognized audit team. Through these voluntary, user-fee services, AMS audits against established standards often set by a company, by industry, or by government regulations.

Audit services include:

The USDA GAP Audit Programs can verify that fresh fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled, and stored to minimize risks of microbial food safety hazards.
The Plant Systems Audit (PSA) is used by companies to show compliance with the Current Good Manufacturing Practices, the Preventive Controls Rule, and/or contract requirements for special process controls.
The Domestic Origin Verification Audit Program (DOV) is used by companies to show that they comply with contract requirements to supply ingredients from domestic sources.
Food Defense Audits verify a specialty crop producers’ food defense systems related to buyer and regulatory requirements.
The USDA Export Certification Audit Programs are developed at the request of industry to address specific needs for verification services to meet the requirements of the countries to which product is being shipped.
The USDA Process Verified Program allows companies to establish and implement their own standards and have their documented programs audited by USDA.
The Identity Preservation (IP) Audit Program verifies a company’s program for identification, segregation, and traceability of their product's unique, value-added characteristics.

Audit programs often include certification of a facility or company, showing that they meet the requirements of the program. View example certificates.