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.

We do not plan on hosting a BPCS training in 2021.  To find a virtual Better Process Control School, please visit this site.

Two Day Course – Acidified Course – $425.00 –

• 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:

• Applicable Regulations
• Microbiology of Thermally Processed Foods
• Acidified Foods
• Food Container Handling
• Food Plant Sanitation
• Records for Product Protection
• Principles of Thermal Processing
• Instrumentation and Equipment
• Closures for Glass Containers

Four-Day School – All 4 Day Training – $595.00 –

• 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:

• Still Retorts – Pressure Processing in Steam
• Still Retorts – Processing with Overpressure
• Hydrostatic Retorts
• Agitating Retorts – Continuous Container Handling
• Agitating Retorts – Discontinuous Container Handling
• Aseptic Processing and Packaging Systems
• Closures for Metal Containers
• Closures for Semirigid and Flexible Containers