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 next BPCS course is scheduled for August 15-18, 2011 at the University of Hawaii. To enroll, please complete the BPCS Brochure registration form and mail with your payment to me at the given address. For the course agenda, please consults the BPCS Schedule. For your information, August 19, 2011 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 or organizing one for your company at an earlier date, please email Dr. Aurora Saulo (aurora@hawaii.edu).