COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension is offering three different food safety training workshops through early November to help food processors add product value and meet safety requirements. All events will be in person at the Eckles Event Center on the MU campus in Columbia.

Oct. 17-18: Applied Food Safety Microbiology Training

Microbial control programs play a key role in preventing spoilage, toxigenic and pathogenic microorganisms in a variety of raw and finished food products, said Lakshmikantha “Kantha” Channaiah, assistant professor and state extension specialist in the MU Division of Food, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, who will administer the training.

“The Food Drug and Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations, audit programs and customer requirements are driving the need for food processors to develop sound microbial control programs that address microbial issues in their products,” Channaiah said.

The training will be held 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, and 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, in Eckles Event Center, 1406 E. Rollins St., Columbia, on the MU campus. Registration is free for Missourians. (Out-of-state participants pay $450.)

Registration: https://extension.missouri.edu/events/applied-food-safety-microbiology

Oct. 24-25: Better Process Control School

The Better Process Control School (Acidified Foods) is an FDA-recognized course providing instruction primarily for operators, supervisors and manufacturers meeting the requirements stated in federal regulations (21 CFR 114.10 and 21 CFR 108.25).

“The training is tailored for operators or manufacturers who produce thermally processed acidified foods,” said Channaiah. Those who complete the course will receive a certificate of course completion to fulfill the training requirement of the FDA Acidified Foods regulation.

The training is 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, and 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, in Eckles Event Center, 1406 E. Rollins St., Columbia, on the MU campus. Cost is $450.

Registration: https://extension.missouri.edu/events/better-process-control-school-acidified-foods-training

Nov. 6-8: Preventive Control Qualified Individual (Human Food) Training

According to the Food Safety Modernization Act, all registered food manufacturing facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold human food must abide by the Preventive Controls for Human Food rule’s new food safety requirements specified in federal regulations (21 CFR 117).

Additionally, each registered entity must have a Preventive Control Qualified Individual to develop an effective food safety plan that ensures the safety of finished food products.

This training is 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, and 8 a.m.-noon Thursday, Nov. 7, at Eckles Event Center, 1406 E. Rollins St., Columbia, on the MU campus. Registration is free for Missourians. (Out of state participants pay $450.)

Registration: https://extension.missouri.edu/events/pcqi-human-food-training-1