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The National Pest Management Association has published the 2026 Pest Management Standards for Food Processing and Handling Facilities — the first major revision since 2016, per a news release from the Fairfax, Va.-based organization. Since 2007, NPMA’s guidance in this area has shaped how pest control work is performed in food-handling and -processing environments. The updated standards reflect current integrated pest management (IPM) practices and control technologies, and include:
- Updated U.S. laws and regulations governing pest management work in food facilities
- New language addressing Canadian food safety regulations affecting pest control in food-processing and -handling facilities
- Health Canada’s list of major food allergens, alongside an updated list of major allergens identified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- A new sample Pest Management Inspection Report
- A new sample Risk Assessment
NPMA has also published the 2026 Pest Management in Food Processing and Handling Facilities Study Guide. This guide was developed to help pest management professionals (PMPs) prepare for the new 2026 NPMA Pest Management in Food Processing & Handling Facilities Exam. Technicians who pass the exam earn a certificate of completion, recognized as training aligned with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), the industry standard for sanitation, documentation and recordkeeping in food facilities.
To accompany the publication of these updated resources for PMPs working in food handling and processing facilities, NPMA is launching a new, centralized Food Safety resource page that brings together its standards, training materials and technical tools for PMPs who service food-processing and -handling facilities. The new page also houses NPMA’s broader library of food safety resources, including its free Food and Commercial Pest Management Hub, Food Safety Audit Scheme Quick Reference Guide and other guidelines developed to help PMPs support clients’ compliance with food safety regulations and standards.
About the NPMA
The National Pest Management Association is a non-profit organization with more than 4,000 members worldwide. It was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property from the diseases and dangers of pests. The association has had many notable leaders over the years, including Pest Management Professional Hall of Famers Bill Buettner (Class of 1998), Dr. Ralph Heal (Class of 2003), Dr. Phil Spear (Class of 2004) and Bob Rosenberg (Class of 2013), to name just a few.
