Source:  NCDA&CS, 1/5/11

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is hosting a one-day workshop Jan. 25 titled “Protecting your Business, Preventing a Recall.” The food safety workshop offers business owners an optional opportunity to develop their own recall plan.

The workshop, which will be held at the Gov. James Martin Building at the State Fairgrounds, is designed for meat producers and processors, value-added food producers and mid-sized food processing/packaging businesses.

“There continues to be growing interest in value-added processing in the state, and we want to work with these new and fledgling companies to ensure overall food safety,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “From the farm to the fork, we all have a role to play in ensuring food safety, and this workshop will cover a number of topics that food businesses need to carefully consider.”

Topics to be covered include lessons from the food safety front, the economics of food recalls, how supermarkets address food safety, how to communicate with your customers and the public about a food recall, and common and avoidable mistakes in the food chain.

Following the program, organizers have allotted two hours to work with businesses on developing a recall plan.

The cost for the workshop is $25 and includes lunch and materials. Registration is required, and the deadline is Friday, Jan. 21. More information on the workshop, including an agenda, can be found at www.ncagr.gov/markets/agribiz/ or by calling Annette Dunlap at (919) 707-3117.