Source: NCDA&CS, 9/5/13

A workshop aimed at helping small food businesses prevent and respond to recalls will take place Sept. 24 at the Eaddy Agronomic Building, 4300 Reedy Creek Road.

The workshop is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. It is sponsored by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the N.C. Food Safety and Defense Task Force.

“A recall can be devastating to a small food business,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Through this workshop, we want to help small companies understand the importance of preventing food safety problems.”

The workshop is aimed at food entrepreneurs who work out of shared-use or certified home kitchens, food processing and packaging businesses, and meat processors.

Topics include the economic costs of food recalls; a food retailer’s perspective on recalls; common and avoidable mistakes in the food chain; food safety hazards in animal and marine protein foods; a risk-based approach to preventing foodborne disease outbreaks; and communicating with the public during a recall. Speakers include representatives from the NCDA&CS, Food Lion and N.C. Sea Grant.

The cost is $20 and includes lunch and materials. The registration deadline is Sept. 17. A registration form is available at www.ncagr.gov/markets/agribiz. Checks should be made payable to NCDA&CS and mailed to Annette Dunlap, N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 1020 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1020.

For more information, contact Dunlap at 919-707-3117 or annette.dunlap@ncagr.gov.