Acidified Foods Manufacturing School

AFMS at UC Davis

The AFMS is recommended for SMALLER PROCESSORS who only produce Acidified Foods (not low-acid foods).

The first step: Online: (NC State University) $400.00 for course - includes manual. 

The Supplemental Course ($150) was last held September 26, 2019, at UC Davis.  

The next course at UC Davis is unscheduled at this time. 

(The Online portion must be taken before enrolling in the Supplemental Course. Please provide your certificate from that or another BPCS course to us when you register.)

Other types of BPCS Training: https://ucfoodsafety.ucdavis.edu/training/better-process-control-schools 

ACIDIFIED FOODS MANUFACTURING SCHOOL

UC Davis Agenda 2019


UC Davis and North Carolina State University are partnering to offer a “blended-learning” Acidified Foods Manufacturing School. Blended learning means that there is an on-line component (NC State) and an in-person component (UC Davis).

 ACIDIFIED FOODS MANUFACTURING SCHOOL

The Acidified Foods Manufacturing School provides instruction in food handling techniques; food protection principles; personal hygiene; plant sanitation; pH controls; critical factors in acidification, and more.

This school is intended for and directed at the level of operating supervisors of acidified foods processing and packaging systems in acidified food establishments. The course will qualify commercial operators of food processing facilities producing acidified foods (e.g., acidified vegetables, salsas, sauces) to meet the requirements of the umbrella good manufacturing practices (GMP), and the specific federal regulatory requirements for acidified low acid foods (21 CFR Part 114). The state of California requirements for these foods (California Department of Public Health Cannery Inspection Program) will be covered in the UC Davis in-person Segment 2 class.

By definition, an “operating supervisor” is a person who is in the food processing facility at the time product is processed and packaged. The operating supervisor is responsible for the use of adequate pH and time and temperature processes for rendering the product safe and for proper record keeping and control programs which will detect deviations from safe operating procedures. The operating supervisor may be the same person who conducts the processes and controls. However, each operation during each hour of plant operation must be under the supervision of a person who has been certified as having satisfactorily completed an approved course of instruction. In determining the number of persons to be certified, company management must consider the number of operating shifts per day, vacations, sick leave replacements, and other situations such as promotions and transfer of certified supervisor personnel.

Certification as Supervisor

To be certified, completion of ALL online modules and passing of ALL examinations given after each module are mandatory. At UC Davis, only those passing both the examinations given during the online curriculum AND completing a face-to-face Segment 2 (supplemental) course will be certified as supervisors under 21 CFR, Sections 108.25 (f) (Acidified Foods) and 114.10 (Acidified Foods).

Step 1 - Online at North Carolina State University

Once registered, you will have 365 days to complete the online course. Randomized 10 question multiple choice examinations will be given after each of nine online modules. Students must pass each module quiz with 70% correct and will only be allowed two attempts. Any student who has failed any module may not participate in the supplemental course.  The manual is included in the online course price.

Supplemental Course – In Person

This course completes the requirements to become a certified operating supervisor for acidified foods manufacture and includes both lectures and hands-on laboratories. This is a one-day workshop that is currently available at the University of California, Davis in Davis, California.  Please bring your manual from the online portion to the Davis class.  

 **SUPPLEMENTAL COURSE MUST BE TAKEN AFTER COMPLETION OF THE NC STATE ONLINE COURSE (or another equivalent BPCS course) to receive a certificate from UC Davis **

Lectures:

Lecture 1 • water activity, pH, equilibrium pH, buffering capacity, measuring pH (pH meter calibration, sample preparation, pH measurement), Difficult products such as oily, starchy or products containing seeds will also be covered.

Lecture 2 •  Container Closures: Review of common and uncommon containers, inspection for integrity and common defects, pull-up and security, and examples of defects.

Lecture 3 • Thermal processing and process filing: Process authority letters and FDA registration/filing, overview of D-values, z-values and F-values.

Lecture 4 • Overview of records required for acidified food production and record verification procedures. 

Lecture 5 • FSMA Preventive Controls for Human Food

Exercises/Laboratories:

Lab 1: Understanding pH, water activity and  container evaluations

Lab 2: Formulation and process

Lab 3: Developing and evaluating records

Accommodations and Parking

For local hotel information please see the Yolo County Visitor's Guide website. You might find this page helpful as well:  "Welcome to Davis" from the UC Davis Postharvest Technology Center.  Campus parking permits will be available to those attending the class. When registering, please check the box on the online registration form to indicate that you will need a visitor parking permit.  They will be available for you at registration on class day, inside.  

For questions regarding registration information, contact Zann Gates.

Course Refund Policy: 

No refunds for the supplemental course will be given if you do not complete the Online portion by Sept. 19th.

Refunds for other reasons can be requested until Sept. 19th, for the full fee less a $25.00 processing fee.  No refunds will be given after Sept. 19th for any reason.