Description
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, is seeking applications for a training program on U.S. Food Safety regulations and standards for 9 Armenian mid- to senior-level officials from the public and private sector. The goal of the program is to provide a comprehensive understanding of U.S. food safety regulations and standards, equipping the Armenian participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement and comply with these regulations effectively, to strengthen bilateral trade with the United States, and reduce trade barriers for U.S. agricultural commodities and products. The program will include field visits to food processing sites and laboratories, as well as meetings with U.S. producer cooperatives, associations, and companies. The training program is envisioned as being 1-2 consecutive weeks in duration and will be held in the United States.
Key aspects of the program include:
• Understanding U.S. Food Safety Regulations: standards, traceability requirements, risk-based assessments, and regulatory entities and roles.
• Understanding Food Safety Principles and Implementation: hazard analysis, critical control points, sanitation standard operating procedures, and good manufacturing practices.
• Understanding International Food Safety Standards and Trade: comparison of U.S. food safety standards with international standards, import/export requirements, and nutritional and food safety education.
• Real-World Examples: case studies of food safety incidents, visits to food production and processing facilities, and consumer education on food safety and proper food handling practices.