Better Process Control School

The Federal Food & Drug Administration published in the Federal Register, March 16, 1979, Vol. 44, No. 53, a regulation titled, ACIDIFIED FOODS AND LOW—ACID FOODS IN HERMETICALLY SEALED CONTAINERS—MANUFACTURE & PROCESSING.  Parts 113.10 and 114.10, Personnel state:

“All operators of retorts, processing systems, and aseptic processing and packaging systems, and container closure inspectors shall be under operating supervision of a person who has attended a school approved by the Commissioner for giving instruction in retort operations, processing systems operations, aseptic processing and packaging systems operations, and container closure inspections, and has been identified by that school as having satisfactorily completed the prescribed course of instruction.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has selected Michigan State University as one of the authorized schools to present the Better Process Control School. Students who successfully complete this course will meet FDA certification requirements.

CERTIFICATIONS:

Acidified Certification ($550)

Aseptic Certification ($550)

Retort Certification ($650)

Combined acidified, aseptic, and retort certification ($700)

See page 6 for a review of required chapters per certification: https://consumerbrandsassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2023-Partner-School-Brochure-1.pdf

DATES:              

In person March 3-6, 2025. Breakfast will be available each day at 7:30 a.m., and the course will begin at 8 a.m. The course will end by approximately 2:30 p.m. each day, although some participants may finish earlier on some days depending on the agenda and their selected certificate tracks. After the in-person lectures end each day, participants will need to complete the online exams on their own.

The course will take place in Erickson Hall, 620 Farm Ln, East Lansing, MI 48824. The group will also visit the MSU Food Processing and Innovation Center as part of the course. Additional details will be provided to registrants one week prior to the event.

Lodging

A room block is available March 2-5, 2025, at the Best Western Hotel & Suites Okemos, 2209 University Park Dr., Okemos, MI 48864. The discounted group rate is $99 per night before taxes. The room block is available until February 9th, after which participants may still receive the group rate but will need to call the hotel directly to inquire about room availability. Booking information will be provided upon registration confirmation.

REGISTRATION:

Registration fees include course tuition and breakfast, lunch, and snacks on each attended course day. All registrations must immediately follow with payment. Registration DOES NOT include the required course text book - Canned Foods: Principles of Thermal Process Control, Acidification and Container Closure Evaluation (9th Edition). 

You may withdraw from this course with a full refund less a $100 processing fee provided we are notified of the cancellation by Feb. 16. Cancellation requests on or after February 17 will not be refunded. If you are unable to attend, a substitute from the original registrant’s institution or company may attend. 

Registration will close February 23, 2025.

Register Here

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