For Immediate Release:
May 4, 2006
Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the Missouri Food Safety Task Force will sponsor a special workshop for persons interested in manufacturing and selling food items such as jam, jelly, salsa, barbeque sauce, jerky and baked goods. The Food Processor Entrepreneur Workshop is set for Wednesday, May 24 at the Truman State Office Building, Room 400, Jefferson City. The workshop will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. The majority of workshop costs are being paid by DHSS through a U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Task Force Grant.
Topics covered during the one-day workshop will include federal, state and local regulations; facility and equipment requirements; special training requirements; product testing; start-up costs; license fees; labeling information; and good manufacturing practices.
Workshop speakers will be from DHSS, Missouri Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, University of Missouri, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and Successful Missouri Entrepreneurs.
“Starting up a small food processing business can be an exciting but sometimes confusing and frustrating venture for people. Many often don't understand all the various critical factors that go into developing a safe and sound food processing operation,” said Mary Fandrey, DHSS's food safety coordinator. “We are excited about the FDA grant that allows us to offer such a great workshop. Our speakers bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise and will cover topics that will equip attendees with what they need to know to produce safe, wholesome food products.”
A registration fee of $15 will cover lodging for the night of May 23, lunch and breaks at the workshop and all workshop materials. Workshop attendance is limited to 100 people. For information on how to register and for other details, contact Bryan Haugen, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, at (417) 895-6932.