Better Process Control School 

In compliance with mandatory USDA and FDA regulations for the prevention of health problems from low-acid and acidified canned foods, the Food Systems Innovation Center offers the Better Process Control School to provide certification to supervisors on thermal processing systems and acidification and container closure evaluation programs. The UK-FSIC offers the Better Process Control School to provide certification in thermal processing systems and acidification and container closure evaluation programs for small- and medium-sized processors and supervisors from food companies and to help them comply with mandatory USDA and FDA regulations. The DPH Food Safety Branch requires this certification for KY processors and food businesses that intend to sell acidified canned foods at retail chains and grocery stores, especially across state lines. This 2-day training program features an FDA-approved curriculum, and to obtain certification, participants must score at least a 70% in each of the eight post-chapter tests. In April 2022, UK-FSIC offered the BPCS program in partnership with Kentucky State University in Frankfort; 16 small- to medium-sized food processors/food business owners from KY and two food industry personnel from a large food company in Illinois successfully completed the workshop and obtained the Better Process Control Certification.

 Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Training 

 HACCP is a risk-based food safety system mandated by the USDA for companies working with meat-, juice-and seafood-based products. This course provides participants with an understanding of HACCP methods, such as food safety plan development, record keeping, and verification skills needed to produce and sell safe food products. This certification program included food safety and quality assurance managers, other food safety personnel, food scientists and engineers, and food business owners. In May 2022, UK-FSIC offered the HACCP program in partnership with Kentucky State University in Frankfort; 19 participants took this certification program and successfully completed workshop exercises mandatory to earn a certificate.