Success StoryHelping Food Businesses Sell Thermally Processed Canned Food Products



Helping Food Businesses Sell Thermally Processed Canned Food Products

Author: Paul Vijayakumar

Planning Unit: Animal and Food Sciences

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations require that acidified/canned foods need to be tested by a qualified person, called a Process Authority, to make sure the products are safe. While large processing plants have their own Process Authority to test these foods, small businesses in Kentucky and other states depend on qualified University Extension Specialists to help them. As the Process Authority at the Food Systems Innovation Center, partnering with the Food Microbiology Laboratory in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Dr. Paul Priyesh Vijayakumar reviewed and issued process review letters for 27 different products from 7 small businesses in Kentucky. This Process Authority letter helped all 7 processors to obtain a commercial permit from the Kentucky State Food Safety branch, which authorizes the processors to sell their value added products at any market not just in Kentucky or within the U.S but also across the globe.






Stories by Paul Vijayakumar


Food Safety workshops for Kentucky processors in partnership with Kentucky State University.

about 2 years ago by Paul Vijayakumar

Better Process Control SchoolIn compliance with mandatory USDA and FDA regulations for the preventio... Read More


Produce safety field days in collaboration with UK Horticulture Research Farm, Organic Association of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture

about 2 years ago by Paul Vijayakumar

Dr. Paul Priyesh Vijayakumars produce safety team collaborated with the UK Horticulture Research Far... Read More


Stories by Animal and Food Sciences


Post Weaning Value-Added Program – Precondition (PVAP-PRECONDITION)

Post Weaning Value-Added Program – Precondition (PVAP-PRECONDITION)

about 2 years ago by Kevin Laurent

The Post Weaning Valued Added Program - Precondition (PVAP-PRECONDITION) began in 2019 through a gra... Read More


Hay Production Field Day for Horse Owners

Hay Production Field Day for Horse Owners

about 2 years ago by Bob Coleman

Hay Production Field DayJuly 2021Sometimes planning takes a back seat to reality. How can it happen ... Read More