WASHINGTON — The Renewable Fuels Association has scheduled a training course to help ethanol plants meet the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This class, scheduled for March 8–10 in downtown St. Louis, is designed for personnel overseeing a facility's food safety plan. FDA finalized the Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-based Preventive Controls for Animal Food regulation in September 2015, which requires that certain activities be completed by a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI). RFA Regulatory Affairs Director and FSPCA Lead Instructor Kelly Davis will team with Ralco Nutrition's Matt Frederking to present the animal food standardized curriculum developed by the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA), which is recognized by FDA to meet the requirements for a PCQI. Participants will receive 20 hours of training on regulatory requirements, current GMPs, developing a food safety plan, types of hazards, conducting a hazard analysis, preventive controls actions/corrections and record keeping. While the FSPCA curriculum was developed to satisfy a wide range of animal food stakeholders, our trainers provide additional content and commentary on real-world situations specific to the ethanol industry. "Thanks to my extensive FDA training, I understand the complexities of this regulation and what is needed for ethanol plants to comply with this rule," said Davis. "This training course is a critical tool to help ethanol plants come into compliance with these new rules." Kelly's previous training sessions were overwhelmingly successful. Her years in the industry and expertise in regulatory issues has served the industry well," said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen. "The class is essential for understanding this complex rule and I recommend it for anyone who will need to show compliance." In 2016, RFA conducted four classes that educated nearly 170 ethanol stakeholders awarded PCQI certificates by the FSPCA. These participants, primarily QA/QC lab, EHS and plant managers, represented 70 companies/organizations within our industry. This course reflects RFA's continued commitment to training, safety and outreach. RFA is offering this training to Members at no charge; the non-member fee is $1,800. Class materials, PCQI certificate (upon course completion), and lunch/refreshments are included; lodging and travel expenses are the responsibility of the attendee. Registration is open — reserve your seat today! Contact Ann Lewis at [email protected] to register.
