FSMA Compliance: Training Program for PCQI Certification

Regulations created under the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) begin implementation in September, 2016. FSMA requires that facilities conducting food-related activities, including commercial food processing, must have in place a Food Safety Plan prepared and overseen by a “Preventive Controls Qualified Individual” (PCQI) who has successfully completed training in the development and application of risk-based preventive controls or is “otherwise qualified through job experience to develop and apply a food safety system.” The MA Cheese Guild has coordinated a training course open to all Massachusetts food processors, since all food processors need to understand FSMA’s requirements and have sufficient time to prepare for implementation deadlines.

The training program will run from 9 am – 5 pm Wed. and Thurs. and from 9 am – 4 pm on Fri. Registration fees are $695 and include lunch, beverage breaks and an official PCQI certification at completion of the course. Lead Instructor Deborah Shapos of Food Safety Management Associates is a Certified HAACP Auditor and is trained in the standardized curriculum developed by the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA).

The full course description/FAQs and registration information is here:  http://macheeseguild.org/fsma-compliance-training/

Financial assistance is available for eligible businesses through the Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund, for up to half of the cost of the course, and will be issued as a reimbursement after the course is completed. Applications must be submitted no later than September 20. Employers who are current with their unemployment insurance are eligible for reimbursement funding.  The online application process starts here: http://web.detma.org/WTF/Express/ep1.asp  The Course ID is 1111188, you can also find it in the training directory by searching for “FSMA.”  For questions, contact Nakeshia Brown, Program Coordinator for Commonwealth Corporation:  617.717.6903 or express@commcorp.org.

A block of rooms has been reserved at Hotel UMass at a reduced rate for conference attendees at a discounted rate of $130/night. For reservations, contact the hotel at (877) 822-2110 and reference conference code MCG16C. One complementary parking pass per room, per night, will be provided at check-in.