Overview

This Workshop is currently SOLD OUT.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has interpreted the current regulations for Low Acid Canned Foods (LACF) found in 21 CFR 108 & 113 to require that each plant producing processed cheese have at least one operator that has completed a "Better Process Cheese School (BPCS)" conducted by instructors recognized by FDA as having acceptable knowledge and expertise.

The IDFA Better Process Cheese School is designed to cover LACF regulations as they pertain to shelf-stable process cheese manufacturers. The training will utilize materials developed by Dr. Kathy Glass from the University of Wisconsin. Topics include microbiology and control of Clostridium botulinum, thermal processing/pasteurization, formulation control, process instrumentation, HACCP, production and packaging controls, and records.

Exams will be given at the completion of each section. Satisfactory completion of this course and passage of all exams will fulfill FDA's certification requirements for having one trained operator in each plant.

Who Should Participate?

Operators, supervisors, and management in process cheese manufacturing facilities, as well as food safety professionals and regulatory officials involved in audits, inspections or LACF filing for process cheese products.

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Agenda

Day One
Tuesday, September 21

8:00 - 8:25 a.m.	Registration
8:25 - 8:40 a.m.	Welcome and Background
8:40 - 9:00 a.m.	Introduction to LACF Regulations
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.	Microbiology (includes 15 minute break)
11:00 - 11:45 p.m.	Thermal processing (part 1)
11:45 - 12:45 p.m.	Lunch
12:45 - 1:45 p.m.	Thermal processing (part 2)
1:45 - 3:00 p.m.	C. botulinum
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.	Food Plant Sanitation and GMPs (includes 15 minute break)
4:00 - 4:30 p.m.	Exam retakes (if needed)

Day Two
Wednesday, September 22

8:00 - 10:15 a.m.	Formulation Control
10:15 - 11:30 a.m.	Process Controls for Process Cheese (includes 15 minute break)
11:30 a.m. - noon	HACCP and Production Controls
Noon - 1:00 p.m.	Exam retakes (if needed)
1:00 - 1:30 p.m.	Food Package Handling
1:30 - 2:00 p.m.	Records for Product Protection
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.	Optional Unit: Slices/Shreds/Sticks and Other Products Open to Post-Process Contamination (includes 15 minute break)
3:00 - 4:00 a.m.	Final Questions & Exam retakes (if needed)

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Hotel and Travel Information

Please make your own reservations at one of the hotels within walking distance of the Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) offices. Some of these hotels have special rates if you mention you are participating at a meeting at DMI. All hotels listed below have free shuttles that run from Chicago's O'Hare Airport to the hotel:

Holiday Inn Suites
DMI Rate:
1 King-$139 plus tax,
2 Queens - $149 plus tax.
Free high-speed wireless service.

Address:
10233 W Higgins Road,
Rosemont, IL 60018 (Located directly next to the DMI building.)
847-954-8600
hotel website

Sheraton Gateway Suites
DMI Rate: $159/night

Address:
6501 N. Mannheim Road,
Rosemont, IL 60018 (Across the parking lot from DMI, a 5-minute walk)
847-699-6300
hotel website

Holiday Inn Express
DMI Rate: $159/night
Free hot breakfast buffet and wireless Internet
Parking fee: $16 parking charge per night

Address:
6600 N. Mannheim,
Rosemont, IL 60018 (1 block from DMI. You will cross a very busy street.)
847-544-7500
hotel website

Best Western
DMI Rate: $69.99/night
Free high-speed wireless Internet

Address:
10300 W Higgins Road,
Rosemont, IL 60018 (1 block from DMI. You will cross a very busy street.)
847-296-4471
hotel website

Getting to Rosemont

By Air

Rosemont is served by the O'Hare International Airport. We are pleased to announce discounts with Continental, Delta, United Airlines and JetBlue Airways for the 2010 Better Process Cheese School. The following discounts are available:

Continental Airlines offers discounts off published fares of 2 to 15 percent off Zone Fares. Book your reservations online at www.continental.com for maximum savings and receive an additional 3 percent discount off the published fares. Click on www.continental.com and choose your flight times and access your meeting discounts by inserting ZJ78270979 in the Offer Code box.

Or you may call your travel professional or Continental MeetingWorks at 800-468-7022 Refer to Z Code ZJ78 and Agreement Code 270979.

Delta Airlines:
Delta is pleased to offer discounted airfares. Use WorldFile/Ticket Designator NY295 to purchase your tickets and discounts from 2 to 7 percent will be applied. Please call (800) 532-4777 for reservations.

 

United Airlines offers a 5 to 10 percent discount off published fares. To make a reservation, please visit www.united.com and use the meeting ID 586MT as the united.com promotional code or call the Meetings Plus reservation service at 800-521-4041.

JetBlue Airways offers a 5 percent discount on the lowest available fare by simply booking online! To make a reservation, visit www.jetblue.com/promo and use BPCS2010 as the promotion code.
If you have any questions just contact our dedicated Meetings Desk at 1 (888) JET-BLUE (538-2583), option 4 or jetblueconventions@jetblue.com.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is the Better Process Cheese School being held?
IDFA's Better Process Cheese School will be held Tuesday, September 21, 2010 through Wednesday, September 22, 2010.

2. Why should I attend the Better Process Cheese School?
IDFA's Better Process Cheese School is designed to cover LACF regulations as they pertain to shelf-stable process cheese manufacture. Current regulations for Low Acid Canned Foods (LACF) require that each plant producing processed cheese have at least one operator who has completed a Better Process Cheese School (BPCS) conducted by instructors the meet criteria set out by the Food and Drug Administration.

3. Who attends the Better Process Cheese School?
The Better Process Cheese School is targeted at operators, supervisors, and management in process cheese manufacturing facilities, as well as food safety professionals and regulatory officials involved in audits, inspections or LACF filing for process cheese products.

4. Which hotel has been reserved? What is the rate?
Please make your reservations at one of the hotels within walking distance of the Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) offices. Some of these hotels have special rates if you mention you are participating in a meeting at DMI. Hotels include Holiday Inn Suites, Sheraton Gateway Suites, Holiday Inn Express, and Best Western. Visit the hotel section for more information.

5. What is the schedule for the Better Process Cheese School?
The agenda with program and activities schedule is available online. Please note that the program schedule is subject to change.

6. How do I register for the Better Process Cheese School?
The fastest and easiest way to register is online. You may also email your registration to registrar@idfa.org, fax it to 202-331-7820 or mail it to: IDFA Registrar, 1250H St, NW, Suite 900, Washington, D.C. 20005.

7. What is the registration fee?
The Better Process Cheese School registration fee is based on membership. If you are a member, the registration fee is $795, if you are not a member, the fee is $995. If you have questions about membership, send an email to membership@idfa.org.

8. What does my registration fee include?
Your registration fee includes continental breakfast, lunch, and coffee breaks both days. You will also receive conference materials with printed PowerPoint presentations from the workshop.

9. Will I receive a confirmation of my registration?
Yes, you will receive a confirmation for your registration via email or fax. It will contain detailed information about the Better Process Cheese School.

10. What is the registration cancellation/refund policy?
Full refunds will be granted for written cancellations received up to three weeks before the meeting. Cancellations received one to three weeks before the meeting will be eligible for a 50 percent refund. No registration refunds will be granted after September 14, 2010. All cancellations must be received in writing. Substitutions may be made without penalty.

11. Are there any airfare discounts?
Yes IDFA has partnered with four different airlines to offer discounts to attendees. We are pleased to announce discounts with Continental, Delta, United Airlines, and JetBlue. Visit the hotel and travel section for more information.

12. What is the dress code?
Business casual attire is recommended.

13. My question is not here! Who should I contact?
If you have any further questions about the Better Process Cheese School, please contact MacKenzie Costello, meetings assistant & registrar at 202-220-3557 or mcostello@idfa.org

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How to Register

Registration for this event has closed.

For information on future events and trainings, please contact IDFA's meetings assistant and registrar at (202) 220-3557 or registrar@idfa.org.

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