Program offers training in listeria prevention and management

A new program will utilize critical thinking, problem solving and peer-to-peer coaching to broaden understanding of listeria management.

The Listeria Management Certificate program, developed by the Association of Food and Drug Officials and Food Safety Consulting & Training Solutions, includes eight online modules and four live online sessions. The training will support produce operations in understanding the technical, regulatory and operational challenges associated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The program will benefit packinghouse and fresh-cut employees new to listeria prevention and risk management, according to a news release from the International Fresh Produce Association.

IFPA said listeria management is one of the leading areas in which its members seek individual support.

The cost is $1,495 for IFPA members and $1,995 for non-members.

Additional information is available online.

The schedule is as follows:

• Week 1: Module 1: Introduction and Background of Listeria
• Week 2: Module 2: Listeria in the Growing Environment & Live Online Session 1
• Week 3: Module 3: Packinghouse and Fresh Cut Vulnerabilities
• Week 4: Module 4: Evaluating Sanitary Design and Processes & Live Online Session 2
• Week 5: Module 5: Sanitation Program
• Week 6: Module 6: Designing an Environmental Monitoring Plan (EMP) & Live Online Session 3
• Week 7: Module 7: Response to Listeria Detection
• Week 8: Module 8: Regulatory Action & Live Online Session 4

Live online sessions

• January 22
• February 5
• February 19
• March 5