UADA sanitation, Listeria workshop aims to make food service facilities safer
By Ryan McGeeney
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Listeria a common concern in food environments
- Three-day workshop to address multiple aspects of sanitation
- Register online
(301 words)
Download event flyer
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Food industry professionals can learn the latest in sanitation practices and Listeria prevention at an upcoming three-day workshop hosted by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
The workshop, scheduled for Aug. 18-20, will take place at the Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences, 1371 W. Altheimer Drive in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Bill Potter, extension food safety and poultry processing specialist for the Division of Agriculture, said the workshop is intended to help food production facilities take a proactive stance against contamination and illness.
"This course is highly pertinent to food production facilities, especially in light of tightened regulatory oversight of sanitation and intensified USDA microbial sampling, all intended to prevent illnesses and recalls,” Potter said.
Listeria is a resilient bacterium that can cause significant illness when ingested. It can also thrive in food environments, even under refrigeration, making it a major concern for both restaurants and food production facilities. The upcoming workshop is intended for food service professionals managing facilities that are inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration or the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and produce either ready-to-eat or non-ready-to-eat foods.
“While this class is intended for food processors, restaurant workers are welcome to come, as the principle would apply,” Potter said.
The workshop will begin at 1 p.m. on Aug. 18, concluding that day at 4:30 p.m. It will continue from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Aug. 19 and 9 a.m.-noon on Aug. 20. In addition to extension personnel, training will also be provided by Fortrex, Vincit Group, ChemStation and HACCP Consulting Group. A full agenda is online.
Registration for the workshop costs $250 and can be completed online. Division of Agriculture employees and students can attend the workshop for $50. Snacks and lunches will be provided. The registration deadline is Aug. 16.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 22 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact Bill Potter at bdpotter@uark.edu or 479-575-2211 as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
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Media Contact:
Ryan McGeeney
rmcgeeney@uada.edu
501-671-2120