Free Online Food Safety Training Sessions Available
Members of the California avocado industry can complete free food safety training, as mandated by the U.S. Federal Department of Agriculture’s new Produce Safety rule, from the comfort of their own home or business. Upon completion, attendees will receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials verifying they have completed the training. The Food Safety Training Partnership — comprised of the Safe Food Alliance, Farm Employers Labor Service and California Farm Bureau — will host the webinars in February. Future webinar dates will be posted on their website. Online registration for the sessions is available.
The two-day sessions will include the following:
- Introduction to produce safety
- Worker health, hygiene and training
- Soil amendments
- Wildlife, domesticated animals and land use
- Agricultural water — production water and postharvest water
- Postharvest handling and sanitation
- How to develop a farm food safety plan
- Question and answer session — attendees are encouraged to share their experiences and have questions prepared
Attendees also will be provided with the following resources:
- A decision tree to help your determine how/if a regulation applies to your operation
- Record-keeping templates
- Tools to calculate “qualified exemption” applicability
- List of allowable water treatment compounds
- Water analysis calculation tools
In order to receive certification, attendees will be monitored during the session and must remain present throughout the course. For that reason, attendees will need a high-speed internet connection and computer/device with a webcam and microphone that must remain functional throughout the course.
The webinars are available as listed below. Please note, the instructors will provide time for breaks.
February 9 – 10
10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Register for the February 9 – 10 sessions now.
February 22 – 23
10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Register for the February 22- 23 sessions now.
