Better Process Control School
March 2, 2026 - March 5, 2026
Registration Deadline: February 22, 2026 - 12:00AM
Erickson Hall, 620 Farm Ln, East Lansing, MI 48824
Contact: For more information about the course contact ANR Event Services at 517-353-3175 or events@anr.msu.edu.
The Federal Food & Drug Administration published in the Federal Register, March 16, 1979, Vol. 44, No. 53, a regulation titled, ACIDIFIED FOODS AND LOW—ACID FOODS IN HERMETICALLY SEALED CONTAINERS—MANUFACTURE & PROCESSING. Parts 113.10 and 114.10, Personnel state:
“All operators of retorts, processing systems, and aseptic processing and packaging systems, and container closure inspectors shall be under operating supervision of a person who has attended a school approved by the Commissioner for giving instruction in retort operations, processing systems operations, aseptic processing and packaging systems operations, and container closure inspections, and has been identified by that school as having satisfactorily completed the prescribed course of instruction.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has selected Michigan State University as one of the authorized schools to present the Better Process Control School. Students who successfully complete this course will meet FDA certification requirements.
Dates, Times and Location:
In person March 2-5, 2026. The course will begin at 8 a.m. and end by approximately 2:30 p.m. each day, although some participants may finish earlier on some days depending on the agenda and their selected certificate tracks. After the in-person lectures each day, participants will need to complete the online exams on their own. Participants must use a computer or tablet to complete the online exams. While the exams may be accessed from a smart phone, it is recommended to use a computer or tablet.
The course will take place in Erickson Hall, 620 Farm Ln, East Lansing, MI 48824. Parking information, room numbers, and the online exam information will be provided one week prior to the event.
Lodging
A room block is available March 1-5, 2026, at the Best Western Hotel & Suites Okemos, 2209 University Park Dr., Okemos, MI 48864. The discounted group rate is $99 per night before taxes. The room block is available until February 9th, after which participants may still receive the group rate but will need to call the hotel directly to inquire about room availability. Booking information will be provided upon registration confirmation.
Tracks and Fees
Acidified Certification: $550
Aseptic Certification: $550
Retort Certification: $650
You may select one, two or all three tracks. Two or more tracks is $700 total. Individual pricing is above.
If you are producing pickled products or tomato-based sauces with pH <= 4.6, choose “Acidified Certification.” If you are producing vegetables or non-tomato-based soups or sauces cooked in a pressurized vessel at high temperature, choose “Retort Certification.” If you are producing aseptic products, choose “Aseptic Certification”.
Registration
Registration fees include course tuition and lunch on each attended course day. All registrations must immediately follow with payment. All registrants MUST purchase the required text book for the course - Canned Foods: Principles of Thermal Process Control, Acidification and Container Closure Evaluation (9th Edition). Books can be added on to registration or purchased separately. Exams are open book.
You may withdraw from this course with a full refund less a $100 processing fee provided we are notified of the cancellation by Feb. 1. Cancellation requests on or after February 2 will not be refunded. If you are unable to attend, a substitute from the original registrant’s institution or company may attend.
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