Jan 20, 2016

United Fresh announces food safety training courses

United Fresh is launching a new training program to assist produce industry members in complying with the Produce Safety Rule and Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act. United Fresh will deliver FDA-approved training for growers and fresh-cut processors using curricula from the Produce Safety Alliance(PSA) and the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) to address the two different regulations.

United Fresh has scheduled three FSPCA training sessions to train what are known as Preventive Controls Qualified Individuals” under the Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule. Individuals who complete this session will receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO), International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI) and the Institute for Food Safety and Health. Members can register for any of the following three-day sessions:

• March 1-3 Salinas, CA
• March 14-16 Philadelphia, PA
• March 29-31 Orlando, FL

The training sessions will be taught by United Fresh Senior Vice President Dr. David Gombas and a second FSPCA lead instructor.

United Fresh will also host a “Train-the-Trainer” session for the Preventive Controls Rule in Salinas, California on April 5-7. The sessions are designed for individuals who want to become “Lead Instructors,” which would enable them to teach the course to colleagues in other company facilities. In order to attend the “Train-the-Trainer” course, applicants must submit an application through the IFSH website. Dr. Gombas will also teach the United Fresh “Train-the-Trainer” course.

United Fresh will also launch grower training to meet the requirements under the Produce Safety Rule, once an FDA-approved curriculum is finalized. United Fresh and AgSafe have formed a partnership to deliver this grower training.

AgSafe education staff will teach the United Fresh/AgSafe Produce Safety Rule sessions. The partners plan to offer both “qualified individuals” training and “Train-the-Trainer” sessions to comply with the Produce Safety Rule. The schedule for grower training program dates and locations has not yet been set, since the Produce Safety Alliance and FDA are still finalizing an approved curricula. The partners anticipate beginning grower training sessions as soon as approved by FDA.

United Fresh and AgSafe will also provide members-only rates for members of either organization to participate in other training programs provided by the two organizations.

To learn more about these courses, visit the United Fresh Food Safety Training website.