Overview

Amazon enforces strict food safety and compliance requirements for sellers listing fresh produce on its marketplace. This policy outlines the documentation, auditing, and regulatory standards that fresh produce sellers must meet to remain in good standing. Understanding these requirements is essential for any seller looking to enter or maintain operations in the fresh produce category.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Federal regulation applies — Fresh produce sold on Amazon must comply with all federal, state, and local laws, as well as Amazon's own policies. The FDA regulates quality, safety, and labeling under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
• Food safety audits are mandatory — Sellers must provide valid third-party food safety audit certificates covering growing, harvesting, cooling, storing, packing, and processing operations.
• Documentation must stay current — Audit documentation must be updated annually or at the start of each new growing season. Expired certifications will not be accepted.
• High-risk produce faces stricter requirements — Certain raw agricultural commodities classified as high-risk require GFSI-recognized audit schemes exclusively, with no group or multi-site certifications permitted.
• Non-compliance carries serious consequences — Amazon may suppress listings, restrict selling privileges, withhold payments, or pursue legal action against non-compliant sellers.

Regulatory Framework

Amazon's fresh produce policy is anchored in several key federal regulations. Under 21 CFR 110, sellers must follow current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) for food facilities. The standards in 21 CFR 112 address produce safety rules established under FSMA, covering agricultural water, biological soil amendments, worker training, and sanitation. Additionally, 21 CFR 117 sets requirements for hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls in food manufacturing and processing. Sellers supplying the U.S. market are expected to adhere to good agricultural practices (GAP) and good manufacturing practices (GMP) as outlined in these regulations. All sellers must also be registered as food business operators and maintain applicable permits as required by local laws.