“The course is especially important for food manufacturers and produce growers who also conduct processing,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “For any producer to scale up operations, there are certain certificates or requirements mandated by the FDA under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The development of food safety culture in West Virginia will only result in expanded market opportunities and increased revenues for our producers.”
Classes will be taught by Dr. Robert Williams and Joell Eifert of Virginia Tech. The course is intended to ensure the safe manufacturing, processing, packing and holding of food products for human consumption. The Preventive Controls for Human Food regulation requires that certain activities must be completed by a “preventive controls qualified individual” who has “successfully completed training in the development and application of “risk-based preventive controls”.
“This course helps West Virginia producers and agriculture-based businesses become compliant under the FSMA” said Cassey Bowden, WVDA business development division director. “Along with growers, industry educators and regulators will be participating. The class will offer networking opportunities, as well as hands-on learning to explain the procedures, guidelines, regulations and best practices to make compliance and exemptions easy for implementation.”
The course costs $225 and is limited to 35 participants. To register for the course, https://goo.gl/hLtmzH or call the West Virginia Department of Agriculture at (304)558-2210 for an application. Participants must attend all three days to receive the course certificate.
For questions, e-mail wvproduce@wvda.us or contact Cindy Martel at (304)558-2210.