Better Process Control School

Mar 11, 2019 through Mar 14, 2019, 8:00am - 5:00pm

The Better Process Control School (BPCS) of The Ohio State University Wilbur A. Gould Food Industries Center is an FDA, USDA, and FSIS required course for processors of low-acid and acidified foods. All processors of these food products must operate with a certified supervisor on hand at all times during processing. Upon completion, the four-day course certifies supervisors of thermal processing systems, acidification, and container closure evaluation programs for low-acid and acidified canned foods. Additionally, BPCS is an excellent food safety training for processing and quality assurance supervisors, academia personnel working with canned and flexible packed food products, government auditors and inspectors.

Topics covered:

  • FDA Regulations
  • Microbiology of Thermally Processed Foods
  • Principles of Acidified Foods
  • Principles of Thermal Processing
  • Principles of Food Plant Sanitation
  • Food Container Handling
  • Records and Recordkeeping
  • Equipment, Instrumentation, and Operation for Thermal Processing Systems
  • Still Steam Retorts
  • Still Retorts: Processing with Overpressure
  • Hydrostatic Retorts
  • Continuous Rotary Retorts
  • Batch Agitating Retorts
  • Aseptic Processing and Packaging Systems
  • Closures for Double Seamed Metal and Plastic Containers
  • Closures for Glass Containers
  • Flexible and Semirigid Containers

Certification
Participants are required to attend sessions and complete a standardized exam on each topic. A passing score of 70% or higher is required. Upon the successful completion of the course, participants become certified and their names are submitted to the FDA. All attendees with passing scores will receive a certificate from The Wilbur A. Gould Food Industries Center.

Course Fee
The cost to attend is $775 per person by the registration deadline of February 25, 2019. This fee covers instruction, manual, lunch, and certificate. After the deadline, the registration cost is $825. Optional parking passes are $8.50 per day. If parking on the OSU campus, a parking pass is required.

Location
Class sessions are held in Kottman Hall on The Ohio State University campus.

Accommodations
There are many nearby hotels on Olentangy River Rd. A few that include shuttle to OSU are Fairfield Inn & SuitesHoliday Inn Express & Suites, and Springhill Suites. Additional options can be found here: go.osu.edu/hotels.

Registration 

Please do not make travel arrangements until you receive a confirmation email from osufic@osu.edu.

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be received before March 4 to receive a partial refund. There is a $50 cancellation fee. No refunds will be given for cancellations after March 4 or for no-shows.

In the event of a low attendee registration or weather emergency, the Food Industries Center will reschedule or cancel the course. If a course cancellation occurs, a refund will be given in the amount of the registration fee. 

Substitution Policy 
Substitutions are permitted, but please notify us as soon as possible so that materials can be properly identified.

On-Site
The Wilbur A. Gould Food Industries Center offers customized sessions of the Better Process Control School for companies at their location. A minimum of 15 attendees is required for on-site presentations. To discuss this option, please contact Heather Dean at dean.840@osu.edu or (614) 292-7004.