Better Process Control School (online)

Mar 8, 2021 through Mar 11, 2021, 8:00am - 5:00pm

The online Better Process Control School (BPCS), offered by The Ohio State University's Wilbur A. Gould Food Industries Center, is required by FDA and USDA-FSIS for processors of low-acid and acidified foods. These processors must operate with a certified individual on-site at all times during processing. Upon successful completion of this four-day certificate course, supervisors of thermal processing systems, acidified food operations, and container closure evaluation programs will be qualified to meet U.S. regulatory requirements. Additionally, BPCS is an excellent food safety training for processing and quality assurance supervisors, academics, auditors and inspectors working with low-acid and acidified foods.

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 $750 per person by the registration deadline of February 28, 2021. This fee covers live instruction, manual, and certificate. After the deadline, the registration cost is $800.

Location
Class sessions will be held via Zoom.

Registration - www.go.osu.edu/bpcsregistration

Baseline technical skills necessary for online courses

  • Basic computer and web-browsing skills
  • Navigating Zoom 

Minimum System Requirements

  • Mac (OSX 10.11+) or PC (Windows 7+) with high-speed internet connection
  • Processor: 2 GHz
  • Free Disk Space: 250 MB
  • Free RAM: 2 Gb
  • Resolution: 1024x768
  • Dowload Speed: 2.0 Mbps
  • Upload Speed: 0.1 Mbps

    Necessary Equipment

    Cancellation Policy
    Cancellations must be received by February 22 to receive a partial refund. There is a $150 cancellation fee if the book has been shipped. There is a $50 cancellation fee if the book has not been shipped. No refunds will be given for cancellations after February 22 or for no-shows.

    In the event of a low attendee registration, 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 allowed, but please notify us as soon as possible so we can update our list and contact the new attendee. Also, if the book has already been mailed to the original attendee, that person will need to provide it to the new attendee.