University of Georgia
UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Department of Food Science & Technology
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Process Authority Services

We can provide the necessary process authority documentation to sell many types of products. These documents are required by inspectors, buyers, and auditors to ensure processing is adequate for food safety and quality standards.


What Happens When You Submit a Product to EFST?

Product Classifications and Process Approvals
  • Incoming products will be classified based on product characteristics such as: formulation, initial pH, equilibrium pH, water activity, processing method, and intended storage/distribution method.
  • Based on these characteristics, products will be classified as acidified, acid, or exempt from canning regulations.
  • If a product is not exempt from canning regulations, a thermal process recommendation (letter) may be issued.

Please visit the page below that most closely matches your product. 


Analytical Testing
Carbonated Beverages
Fermented Products
Juices
Refrigerated Products
Thermally Processed Products

    1. Product Classifications are $195
    2. Acidified & Acid product services start at $195** (covered by Product Classification fee)
      1. Acidified & Acid revisions are $40
    3. Low-Acid canned products, fermented products, non-conventional processes will likely incur additional costs for which you can request a quote:
      1. Validation studies
      2. Challenge tests 
      3. Shelf-life studies 

    **$195 fee applies to Hot-Filled products. Products that are processed using other methods may incur additional fees. Contact efs@uga.edu for more information.

  • Most process authority services will be completed within 3-5 weeks; however, there may be delays due to product or process methods or complexity.

  • A Better Process Control School (BPCS) certificate is required to manufacture an acidified food product in the State of Georgia. We offer BPCS courses in two formats: in-person or a self-paced, online version.

    Online Better Process Control School

  • Your product will most likely require a formal food safety plan. We can assist with the development of a food safety plan to meet your product's unique regulatory requirements.

    Food Safety Plan Pricing 

  • Acid Food(s)

    If your product has a naturally occuring pH value less than 4.60** and is a uniform liquid (free from solids/particulates), your product may be classified as an acid food.

    This means that your product is exempt from the federal canning regulations listed in 21 CFR 108.25 and 114. You do not need to file the product's process with the FDA, though you may if you are inclined to do so.

    Acidified Food(s)

    If your finished product has a pH value less than 4.60 that is acheived by the addition of acids/acid foods, and a water activity (aw) greater than 0.85, the product is an acidified food.

    These products are governed by 21 CFR 108.25 and 114. Manufacturing these products requires Better Process Control School (BPCS), or an equivalent acidified foods training. Additionally, you will need to file your product's scheduled process with the FDA using an FDA Form 2541e.

    UGA may classify products as acidified foods for a variety of reasons: the product meets the definition above, the product contains low-acid particulates (solids) that require time acidify, or because a product contains a high enough percentage of low-acid ingredients.

    Other Classifications

    Not all food products meet the definitions of Acid or Acidified foods. If a product meets the criteria to be determined low-water activity, carbonated, refrigerated, fermented, etc., an exemption letter will be issued.

    These products are not subject to 21 CFR 108.25 and 114. A process is not required to be filled with the FDA.