Better Process Control Schools – BPCS

Regulations for thermally processed low acid and acidified foods packaged in hermetically sealed containers (21 CFR 108, 113, and 114) are designed to prevent public health problems from commercially canned foods. The regulations require that operators of processing and packaging systems and container closure inspectors be under the operating supervision of a person who has attended and successfully completed appropriate instruction prescribed by FDA. Regulations for thermally processed meat and poultry products (9 CFR 318.300 and 381.300) and thermally processed low acid animal foods (21 CFR 507 and 508) include similar training requirements.

Better Process Control Schools (BPCS) provide practical applications of principles set forth in the regulations and satisfy the training requirements of both FDA and USDA.

Washington State University is approved by the FDA to offer these schools which satisfy the FDA, USDA, and State education requirements for canned low acid and acidified foods. WSU offers a two-day course for processors of acidified foods in glass containers as well as the four-day schools which covers all process systems and all types of containers and closures. Private instruction tailored specifically to individual company needs is also available.

Please review conference policies.

Dates & Fee:
February 5^th to 6^th, 2024
February 5^th to 8^th, 2024

$485 2 Day
$625 4 Day

Courses run from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm every day.
Check-in starts at 7:45 am the first day.

Course is limited to 40 people

Coffee and refreshments will be provided.  Lunch is on your own.

Course Material and Additional Information:
It is recommended that you study the chapters applicable to you thoroughly before attending course.  There are tests following each chapter.
Course materials will only be shipped for paid attendees.

Course location:

Hampton Inn & Suites -28th Ave
18850 28th Ave S, SeaTac, WA 98188

There is a room block available, please use the link Better Process Control School to make your room reservation.  The room fee is $154 + taxes and fees for either King room or double Queen rooms.  It is individual reserve and individual pay room block.  Room block expires by 01/04/2024.

Two Day Course – Acidified Course – $485.00 – February 5^th to 6^th, 2024

• Check-in begins at 7:45 am and training hours are 8 am to 5 pm.
• Manuals will be mailed out to paid attendees.
• Manuals need to be brought to the training.
• Onsite instructors will review the material, but you are required to study it prior to attending.  Tests will be given after every chapter and you must pass with a 70% or greater.

The two-day course includes the following subjects:

• FDA Presentation
• Chapter 1 – Introduction
• Chapter 2 – Microbiology
• Chapter 3 – Sanitation for Retorts and Atmospheric Cookers
• Chapter 5 – Closures for Double Seamed Metal and Plastic Containers
• Chapter 6 – Closures for Glass and Twist-Off Plastic Containers
• Chapter 7 – Flexible and Semi-rigid Containers
• Chapter 8 – Introduction to Thermal Processing
• Chapter 15 – Mild Thermal Processing

Four-Day School – Full Training – $625.00 – February 5^th to 8^th, 2024

• Check-in begins at 7:45 am and training hours are 8 am to 5 pm.
• Manuals will be mailed out to paid attendees.
• Manuals need to be brought to the training.
• Onsite instructors will review the material, but you are required to study it prior to attending.  Tests will be given after every chapter and you must pass with a 70% or greater.

The four-day school includes all of the above subjects plus the following:

• Chapter 4 – Sanitation for Continuous Systems
• Chapter 9 – Retort Equipment & Operation
• Chapter 10 – Batch Saturated Steam Retorts: Still & Agitation
• Chapter 11 – Continuous Rotary Retorts
• Chapter 12 – Still & Agitating Retorts that Process with Overpressure
• Chapter 13 – Hydrostatic Retorts
• Chapter 14 – Aseptic Processing and Packaging Systems