The Cooperative Extension Service, Food Technology Program, of Dr. Aurora A. Saulo conducts the Better Process Control School (BPCS), as approved by the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Food manufacturers, who prepare thermally processed low-acid foods and acidified foods in hermetically sealed containers for sale in the United States, are required by law (21 CFR 113, 21 CFR 114) to have at all times of production at least one operating supervisor who has attended the BPCS. Since these regulations are among the strictest in food processing worldwide, the principles and practices covered in this certificate course will benefit manufacturers of other food products, such as acid foods (e.g., salad dressings, fruit juices, jams, jellies), refrigerated low-acid and acidified products (e.g., chili pepper water, lau lau, pasta, sauces, salsa), and those that are naturally fermented (e.g., poi, some milk products). The BPCS uses the HACCP approach and is open to others in the food industry, such as regulators, managers, and those in marketing, sales, and import/export businesses. A technical background is not required for completion of the course.

Registration fee is $650/person up to the deadline and $700/person thereafter, payable to the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH) Project #1139. The fee includes the cost of instruction, use of facilities, morning and afternoon snacks, the official course book, and all workshop materials. Lodging and meals are not included. Please note that online registration is not yet available.

The most recent course was held in St. John 11 auditorium (3190 Maile Way, Honolulu, HI 96822) at the University of Hawaii on August 17-20, 2009. The next course is scheduled for August 16-19, 2010(BPCS brochure, BPCS Schedule). For your information, August 20, 2010 is a holiday (Admissions Day) and there will be a Made in Hawaii Festival at the Neal Blaisdell Center over that weekend.

If you are interested in attending a BPCS course in the near future, please email Dr. Aurora Saulo (aurora@hawaii.edu).

November 16-20, 2009
East Asia Royale Hotel
General Santos, Philippines
and
November 23-27, 2009
Food Development Center (FDC)
1633 Taguig City, MetroManila
Philippines

To inquire about course details and how to enroll for the two courses in November, please email your name, address, email address, and telephone number to Mr. Albert R. Cariso, Jr., Division Chief of Industry Services at infofdc@pacific.net.ph or acarisojr@yahoo.com; telephone +632 (838) 4014, +632 838 4601, +632 838 4478, +632 838 4561; facsimile +632 (838) 4692; address FDC, National Food Authority, FTI Complex, Taguig City, MetroManila-, 1633, Philippines. You may also visit their website at http://www.fdc.net.ph/ and click on TRAINING SCHEDULES on the right margin.