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<OL> <LI> Fill a void for research-based food safety training in all elements of the meat processing plant. <LI> Meet food safety training needs of various types of meat processors and handlers with methods that can be customized. <LI> Assist producers, animal transporters and plant delivery site personnel in implementing animal handling and quality assurance procedures to insure food safety. <LI> Determine the effectiveness of the food safety training techniques.
Improper animal handling and inadequate food safety can have serious negative consequences on our food supply. This project trains meat plant employees in proper food safety and assists producers, animal transporters and plant delivery-site personnel in implementing animal handling and quality assurance procedures.
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To establish a research base for developing a tried and tested food safety training program, pilot efforts will initially be conducted in Southeast Iowa. A food safety training prototype will be taught to approximately 200-300 processing-line employees of two meat processors. Level One will be a 16-hour course, taught to persons who are new to the meat-processing workforce. Following 90 days working on the processing line, employees will take Level Two of the training. This course will be four hours in length and will cover more intensive microbiology and HACCP issues. Level Three will also be a four-hour course, taught to processing-line employees following one year of employment. All upper and middle management personnel in the two pilot plants will be offered training in both HACCP and food safety. On-site audits will be conducted with pilot facilities 90-180 days following the last training activities. Project specialists will also recruit two to three small processors and two to three middle-sized processors to participate in the animal handling pilot project. A customized hands-on training will be conducted at each plant for the plant's delivery-site personnel, persons who transport animals to the plant, and the livestock/poultry producers.
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2004/09 TO 2004/12<br>
Ten Food Safety Training Programs (Level 1 Pre employment) have been held for meat plant personnel. A total of 239 individuals successfully completed the Food Safety Training. Those participating in the training included 68.6 % men, 31.4% women and 43.1% minorities.
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2004/09 TO 2004/12<br>
The Food Safety Training program has had a positive effect on both the professional and personal lives of participants. The training has helped to assure the food safety of the products produced and packaged by the program participants.