COLUMBIA, Mo. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandates strict food safety regulations to ensure the health and well-being of consumers. This includes requiring Preventive Controls Qualified Individuals (PCQI) in food manufacturing facilities. University of Missouri Extension is offering PCQI training May 20-22 in Columbia.

PCQI training plays a critical role in maintaining compliance with the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act and ensuring that food manufacturers can prevent, identify and/or eliminate potential safety hazards effectively, said MU Extension food safety expert Kantha Channaiah.

The training is free to Missourians, courtesy of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Channaiah said.

“PCQI training is a specialized program designed by the FDA in collaboration with industry stakeholders to educate key individuals responsible for developing and implementing a facility’s food safety plan to prevent physical, chemical and biological hazards entering the safety of the finished food products,” he said.

The training focuses on preventive controls, risk assessment, hazard analysis and regulatory compliance. It is required for food industry professionals who oversee hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls. For food manufacturers, PCQI training is an investment in safety, compliance, consumer confidence and business success, Channaiah said.

Those eligible for this PCQI (Human Food) Training in Missouri:

• Small-scale food producers.
• Small-scale farmers.
• Start-up food companies.
• State and local food inspectors.

PCQI (Human Food) Training is offered by MU Extension and Mizzou’s food science program. Register at http://muext.us/PCQI2.

For more information, contact Channaiah at lchannaiah@missouri.edu or 573-882-2673.