Workshops
UGA Food Science and Technology Extension provides the public and the food industry with workshops and on-site training programs that enable businesses to develop and implement a food safety or HACCP plan tailored to their own operation, minimizing the risk of contamination of their food product by human pathogens.
On-Site Consultation and Training
In-Plant HACCP Certification Programs: This is a service to assist with problems on deficiencies, sanitation problems, and product quality standards. A HACCP training workshop may be provided for quality assurance and supervisory personnel for a nominal fee.
In-Plant Food Safety or Sanitation Audit and Training: This consultation for a nominal fee is designed to provide insight and evaluation for plant efficiency improvements, regulatory compliance, and product safety. This may be followed by a comprehensive workshop for plant management and supervisors to develop further food safety measures.
Please contact our office at 706-542-2574 or efs@uga.edu for more details and to discuss how we can help your business!
Online Trainings
The online Better Processing Control School is currently unavailable.
Farm Food Safety Trainings and Workshops
If you're a fruit, vegetable, or nut grower in Georgia and unsure of where to find food safety resources for regulatory, buyer, or third-party audit requirements, UGA Extension can help. Our Food Science and Technology specialists offer trainings and on-sight farm, packinghouse, or facility visits throughout the state. If you don't see a workshop or service listed that you think your farm needs, let us know!
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Trainings (GDA with UGA Extension)
Growers of fresh produce commodities that are frequently consumed raw, who also generate more than $25,000 annually in produce sales (adjusted for inflation; three year average) may have to comply with the FDA's Produce Safety Rule. Every farm covered by the Produce Safety Rule must have one person who has received food safety training, and the PSA Grower Training curriculum is currently the only approved course. UGA specialists work with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to offer these courses throughout the state. If you're interested in learning more about upcoming courses, visit the GDA's Farm Safety Program website for locations and dates.
Preventive Controls for Human Food
Have you been told you need a PCQI, but you aren't sure what that means? The acronym stands for "Preventive Controls Qualified Individual", and food manufacturers covered by the Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule are required to employ or contract with at least one such individual. A PCQI is responsible for developing a processor's food safety plan and ensuring all aspects of the plan are properly implemented. This 2.5-day course uses the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance curriculum. UGA extension offers generic Preventive Controls training for all segments of the food industry, as well as specific trainings for the fresh-cut and nut industries.
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) for Produce Packinghouses
If your auditor or buyer requires a HACCP trained individual on your operation, we can help you out. Our food safety specialists are lead trainers recognized by the International HACCP Alliance, and we partner with other universities throughout the southeast to ensure our attendees get the benefit of instructors with diverse commodity experience. All attendees of our two-day course will have the knowledge necessary to build and maintain a HACCP program for a produce packinghouse.