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


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

about 1 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 for Kentucky growers to fulfill the federal FSMA Produce Safety Rule regulatory requirement.

about 1 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


Producing Beef for the Consumer

Producing Beef for the Consumer

about 1 years ago by Katherine VanValin

Beef producers can add value to their beef cattle by educating themselves and their consumers about ... Read More


Eastern National 4-H Horse Championships

Eastern National 4-H Horse Championships

about 1 years ago by Mary Jane Little

The potential for change is a core strength of all youth—a strength that can be built upon. This str... Read More