Birko’s Ian Bessell receives HACCP certification

Birko announced that its produce specialist, Ian Bessell, is now HACCP Certified through the International HACCP Alliance.

Bessell successfully completed a course sponsored by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the United Fresh Produce Association, “Developing and Implementing a Hazard Analysis – Risk-based Preventive Control Safety Plan for Fresh Produce.” He earned his HACCP certification after passing the exam. The program is also sponsored by the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association and the Southeast Produce Council.

Bessell is a part-time instructor for Northeastern University’s graduate program in the regulatory affairs of food and food industries. He is a graduate of the Emerging Leaders Development Program, sponsored by the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association. Bessell also serves on a number of produce industry committees, including the United Fresh Produce Association’s Food Safety and Technology Council. He formerly served on the Produce Marketing Association’s Produce Safety Science and Technology Committee and the Produce Safety Alliance Working Committee.

Bessell earned a master’s of agribusiness and a bachelor’s degree in food and resource economics, both from the University of Florida.