Success StoryBetter Process Control School Certification for Kentucky Processors



Better Process Control School Certification for Kentucky Processors

Author: Paul Vijayakumar

Planning Unit: Animal and Food Sciences

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

In compliance with mandatory USDA and FDA regulations for the prevention of health problems from low-acid and acidified canned foods, Dr. Paul Priyesh Vijayakumar (Process Authority) and his colleagues in the Food Systems Innovation Center offer the Better Process Control School to provide certification to supervisors regarding thermal processing systems and acidification and container closure evaluation programs. The UK-FSIC, in partnership with FDA and the KY State Department of Health (DPH) 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 and obtain commercial license. The DPH Food Safety Branch requires this certification for KY processors and food businesses which 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 8 post-chapter tests. In 2018-19, 28 small- to medium-sized food processors/food business owners from KY successfully completed the workshop and obtained the Better Process Control Certification and obtained  license from the State Department of Health - Food Safety Branch to sell at commercial stores and any where across the globe.






Stories by Paul Vijayakumar


Free On-Farm Readiness Reviews (OFRR) of Kentucky Produce Farms for FSMA-PSR Preparedness

about 3 years ago by Paul Vijayakumar

The OFRR (On-farm readiness review) is a voluntary assessment used to familiarize farmers with FMA-P... Read More


Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training

about 3 years ago by Paul Vijayakumar

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)is a federal law transforming the nations food safety sy... Read More


Stories by Animal and Food Sciences


Udderly Amazing State Virtual Dairy Club

about 3 years ago by Larissa Tucker

With COVID-19 restrictions still in place it was decided to help youth and volunteers to keep their ... Read More


4-H Country Ham; COVID

about 3 years ago by Gregg Rentfrow

The pandemic canceled or changed 4-H activities in 2020. The 4-H Country Ham Committee wanted to mak... Read More