Today, United Fresh announced the launch of a new training program aimed at assisting produce industry members with complying with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

United Fresh’s new efforts come on the heels of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) publication of FSMA’s final Produce Safety Rule and the Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule. Under these requirements, applicable companies must have a consultant or qualified individual on staff who is trained to an FDA-approved curriculum. To help companies meet that requirement, United Fresh will begin delivering FDA-approved training for growers and fresh-cut processors using curricula from the Produce Safety Alliance and the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance to accommodate both FSMA regulations.

United Fresh already has three training sessions scheduled for March:

• March 1 - March 3 in Salinas, CA
• March 14 - March 16 in Philadelphia, PA
• March 29 - March 31 in Orlando, FL

These sessions--designed for fresh-cut processors to develop food safety plans--will train “Preventive Controls Qualified Individuals” under the Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule. The training is also applicable to food processors and FDA-registered companies that cut fresh produce in their facilities. Those who complete the session will receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials, International Food Protection Training Institute and The Institute for Food Safety and Health, and be qualified to meet the standards in the regulation.

As the FDA approves curricula for other types of food facilities subject to the rule, United Fresh anticipates adding additional training courses for those types of facilities.

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