Since the landmark Food Safety Modernization Act was signed into law on January 4, 2011, IDFA has expanded its trainings and resources to help dairy companies prepare to comply with the new regulations.  In addition to providing webinars and legal guidance, IDFA is joining this fall with Chestnut Labs to provide technical laboratory training for plant personnel charged with meeting FSMA’s new rules.

The inaugural course offered by IDFA and Chestnut Labs, “Hands-on Microbiological Testing and Laboratory Practices,” will be held October 15-17 at the Jordan Valley Innovation Center at Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo.

“As I talked with our members about the stringent new regulations under FSMA, I kept hearing that there is a need for hands-on training for plant personnel working in quality assurance and control, sanitation, maintenance and operations,” said Clay Detlefsen, IDFA vice president for regulatory affairs and course instructor. “The course will offer participants in-depth expertise and training they won’t find in other food-safety training courses.”

The training session, limited to 50 attendees, will combine IDFA’s experience in providing educational services that meet the industry’s specific needs with Chestnut Labs’ reputation and experience in microbiological testing.

“This course is designed to increase attendees’ knowledge and skills in microbiological testing, lab practices and food safety,” said Beth Ann Crozier-Dodson, director of microbiology at Chestnut Labs. “Attendees will participate in hands-on exercises relating to microbial testing, as well as learn concepts about pathogen control, Good Laboratory Practices and pathogen environmental monitoring.”

According to Detlefsen, “This hands-on approach is designed to enhance our member companies’ professional development programs for plant employees and to support the industry’s commitment to meeting rigorous quality assurance standards.”

Joining Crozier-Dodson and Detlefsen as an instructor will be Kristen Dixon, general manager and vice president of Chestnut Labs. These three food safety experts have more than 50 years of experience working in or with the dairy industry.

Visit www.idfa.org/labcourse for more information or to register for “Hands-on Microbiological Testing and Laboratory Practices.” For more information about FSMA, contact Detlefsen at cdetlefsen@idfa.org.