Best Western InnTowner, Madison

Purpose of the Course:
The Wisconsin Better Process Control School provides training for key canning industry personnel that are required to meet FDA and USDA regulations.  These regulations require processors of canned foods (including foods in glass jars, retort pouches, aseptically processed foods) to have certain critical operations under the supervision of trained personnel.

 

 

Schedule of Events

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should attend?
If you work for a food processing company that produces low-acid or acidified foods which are packaged in hermetically-sealed containers (cans, jars, bottles; retortable pouches, trays, etc.),   your supervisor may suggest that you take this course.

You do NOT have to take this course if you:

• produce naturally acidic foods that are packaged in sealed glass jars or cans, e.g. apples,
  
• produce fermented foods that are packaged in sealed glass jars or cans, e.g. sauerkraut,
  
• produce standard jams or jellies that are packaged in sealed glass jars or cans, or
  
• produce foods that are to be sold refrigerated or frozen.

Check with your state's food regulatory agency to see what types of foods you can legally process and package in sealed glass jars or cans and if you are required to take the course.  In Wisconsin, the food regulatory agency is the Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection at 608-224-4700.

If I attend the course, what units do I have to take?
All attendees must take and pass the six basic units.  Passing is 70% or better on an open book multiple-choice exam that contains 10 or 20 questions.  The six basic units are:

Microbiology, Sanitation, Container Handling, Record-keeping, Principles of Thermal Processing, Instrumentation

Each of these units has a corresponding chapter in the manual that you should read before attending the class.  Manuals are mailed upon receipt of your registration fee.

All attendees are encouraged to take as many of the remaining units as possible, to allow them maximum flexibility in their company and enhance their credentials if they should change employers.  Units beyond the six basic units are:

Still Retorts, Steam Overpressure Retorts, Glass Closures, Continuous Retorts, Discontinuous Retorts, Hydrostatic Retorts, Flexible Containers, Metal Closures and Closure Evaluation, and Aseptic Processing.

Each unit has an open-book exam; passing is 70% or better on the multiple-choice exam. Each unit has corresponding chapter in the manual that you should read before attending the class.  Manuals are mailed upon receipt of your registration fee.

Will I get a certificate? You will receive a certificate listing each unit you passed. Allow 3 weeks after the course to process and mail the certificate.

 

What if I lose my certificate ? Replacement certificates can be obtained for a $10 processing fee. Please contact CALS Conference Services at 608-263-1672.

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