Better Process Control Schools
The Better Process Control Schools (BPCS) certify supervisors of thermal processing systems, acidification, and container closure evaluation programs for low-acid and acidified canned foods. Each processor of low-acid or acidified foods must operate with a certified supervisor on hand at all times during processing.
FDA's regulations in 21 CFR 108, 113, and 114 became effective May 15, 1979. These regulations are designed to prevent public health problems in low-acid and acidified low-acid canned foods. The BPCS provide the practical application of the principles set forth by these regulations. These FDA regulations also apply to low-acid canned pet foods.
Similar regulations and training requirements, 9 CFR 318.300 and 381.300 for thermally processed meat and poultry products, were implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on June 19, 1987.
Instructors for these schools are drawn from the FDA-approved universities, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), the GMA Science and Education Foundation, industry, and FDA.
These schools satisfy the training requirements specified in both the FDA and USDA regulations.
The BPCS courses listed below are in chronological order. For registration, course agenda, and hotel information, please contact the school of your choice. You may link to the university website by clicking on the university name or you may send an email directly to the contact person at each university by clicking on their name.
August 9-12, 2010
Chapman University
Location: Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, CA 92866
Contact: Marilyn de Vasconcellos, Phone: (951) 479-1367
August 16-29, 2010
University of Hawaii
Location: University of Hawaii at Manoa, 3190 Maile Way, St. John 11 Auditorium, Honolulu, HI 96822
Contact: Aurora A. Saulo, Phone: (808) 956-8564 or (808) 956-8588 / Fax: (808) 956-3894
September 9-10, 2010
Acidified Foods Only
New Mexico State University
Location: NMSU-Gerald Thomas Hall, Las Cruces, NM 88003
Contact: Dr. Nancy C. Flores, Phone: (575) 646-1179
Registration Contact: Gloria Hernandez, Phone: (575) 646-2198 / Fax: (575) 646-1889
October 4-7, 2010
Texas A&M University
Location: Marriott by Courtyard, College Station, TX
Contact: Dr. Al Wagner, Phone: (979) 845-7023 / Fax: (979) 845-8906
Registration Contact: Cindy Wise, PO Box 341, College Station, TX 77481
October 5-8, 2010
The University of Tennessee
Location: University of Tennessee Conference Center, 600 Henley Street, Suite 212, Knoxville, TN 37902
Contact: Dr. William C. Morris, Phone: (865) 974-7274
Registration Contact: Nancy Austin, Phone: (865) 974-7717 / Fax: (865) 974-7332
October 19-20, 2010
Auburn University
Location: Botanical Gardens
Contact: Jean Weese, Phone: (334) 844-3269
Registration Contact: Patti West, Phone: (334) 844-8090 / Fax: (334) 844-2641
October 19-20, 2010
Acidified Foods Only
Michigan State University
Location: Room 1135 S. Anthony Hall, MSU, East Lansing, MI 48824
Contact: Dr. Kirk Dolan, Phone: (517) 355-8474, ext. 119
Registration Contact: Linda Young, Phone: (517) 355-8474, ext. 114 / Fax: (517) 353-8963
November 2-5, 2010
University of Arkansas
Location: TBD
Contact: Steve Seideman, Phone: (479) 575-4221
Registration Contact: Mike Heilman, Phone: (479) 575-4040 / Fax: (479) 575-2165
November 4-5, 2010
Acidified Foods Only
Cornell University
Location: CCE Orange Co. Community Campus, Middletown, NY
Contact: Dr. Olga Padilla-Zakour, Phone (315) 787-2259
Registration Contact: Nancy Long, Phone: (315) 787-2288 / Fax: (315) 787-2443
November 9-12, 2010
Spanish
New Mexico State University
Location: NMSU-Gerald Thomas Hall, Las Cruces, NM 88003
Contact: Dr. Nancy C. Flores, Phone: (575) 646-1179
Registration Contact: Gloria Hernandez, Phone: (575) 646-2198 / Fax: (575) 646-1889
November 30-December 3, 2010
Clemson University
Location: Hampton Inn & Suites at Riverplace, Greenville, SC
Contact: Dr. Felix Barron, Phone: (847) 656-5694
Registration Contact: Kim Collins, Phone: (864) 656-3397 / Fax: (864) 656-0331
January 10-13, 2011
Louisiana State University
Location:Efferson Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Contact: Ashley Bond Gutierrez, Phone (225) 578-6304 or Stephanie Jones, Phone: (225) 578-5207 / Fax: (225) 578-5300
January 24-27, 2011
Washington State University
Location:Burien, WA (Seattle Area)
Contact: Dr. Richard H. Dougherty, Phone (509) 335-0972
Registration Contact: Cathy Blood, Phone: (509) 335-2845 / Fax: (509) 335-4815
January 31-February 2, 2011
University of Alaska
Location: 1007 West 3rd Avenue, Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99501
Contact: Dr. Charles Crapo, Phone: (907) 486-1515
Registration Contact: Julie Carpenter, Phone: (907) 274-9691 / Fax: (907) 277-5242
February 15-18, 2011
University of California, Davis
Location: UC Davis Activities & Recreation Center (ARC) Ballroom
Contact: Dr. Diane Barrett, Phone: (530) 752-4800
Registration Contact: Zann Gates, Phone: (530) 752-5901 / Fax: (530) 752-4759
University of California, Davis Online Course available soon!
Click Here for More Information
March 7-11, 2011
University of Wisconsin
Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 4402 East Washington Avenue, Madison, WI 53704
Contact: Dr. Barbara Ingham, Phone: (608) 263-7383
Registration Contact: CALS Conference Service, Phone: (608) 263-1672 / Fax: (608) 262-5088
March 8-11, 2011
Michigan State University
Location: Room 100, School of Packaging, MSU, East Lansing, MI 48824
Contact: Dr. Kirk Dolan, Phone: (517) 355-8474, ext. 119
Registration Contact: Linda Young, Phone: (517) 355-8474, ext. 114 / Fax: (517) 353-8963
March 16-19, 2011
University of Georgia
Location: 242 Food Science Building, UGA Campus, Athens, GA
Contact: Dr. William Hurst, Phone: (706) 542-0993
Registration Contact: Marian Wendinger, Phone: (706) 542-2574 / Fax: (706) 583-0992
March 21-24, 2011
The Ohio State University
Location: Kottman Hall, Parker Food Science Building, Columbus, OH
Contact: Valente Alvarez, Phone: (614) 688-4961
Registration Contact: Jayne Sholl, Phone: (614) 292-7004 / Fax: (614) 688-5459
March 24-25, 2011
Acidified Foods Only
New Mexico State University
Location: NMSU-Gerald Thomas Hall, Las Cruces, NM 88003
Contact: Dr. Nancy C. Flores, Phone: (575) 646-1179
Registration Contact: Gloria Hernandez, Phone: (575) 646-2198 / Fax: (575) 646-1889
April 18-21, 2011
The Pennsylvania State University
Location: The Nittany Lion Inn, State College, PA
Contact: Dr. Stephanie Doores, Phone: (814) 863-2956
Registration Contact: Kara Krall, Phone: (814) 865-8301 / Fax: (814) 865-7050
May 9-12, 2011
Purdue University
Location: Stewart Center - Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
Contact: Kiya Smith, Phone: ((765) 496-3827
Registration Contact: Tom Robertson, Phone: (765) 494-7220 / Fax: (765) 494-0567
May 10-14, 2011
Acidified Foods Only
New Mexico State University
Location: NMSU-Gerald Thomas Hall, Las Cruces, NM 88003
Contact: Dr. Nancy C. Flores, Phone: (575) 646-1179
Registration Contact: Gloria Hernandez, Phone: (575) 646-2198 / Fax: (575) 646-1889
June 13-18, 2011
Spanish
The Ohio State University
Location: Kottman Hall, Parker Food Science Building, Columbus, OH
Contact: Valente Alvarez, Phone: (614) 688-4961
Registration Contact: Jayne Sholl, Phone: (614) 292-7004 / Fax: (614) 688-5459
June 20-23, 2011
Acidified Foods Only
Oregon State University
Location: OSU Campus, Corvalis, Oregon
Contact: Dr. Mark Daeschel, Phone: (541) 737-6519
Registration Contact: Debby Yacas, Phone: (541) 737-6483 / Fax: (541) 737-1877
July 18-21, 2011
Louisiana State University
Location:Efferson Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Contact: Ashley Bond Gutierrez, Phone (225) 578-6304 or Stephanie Jones, Phone: (225) 578-5207 / Fax: (225) 578-5300
August 8-11, 2011
Chapman University
Location: Chapman University, Beckman Hall, Orange, CA 92866
Contact: Anuradha Prakash, Phone: (714) 744-7826
Registration Contact: Carla Wiesmuller, (949) 341-9863/ Fax: (949) 754-1337
Need more information or have questions about the BPCS? Please contact:
Sherri Frye
Program Support Specialist, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs
(202) 637-4806