MANHATTAN, KANSAS, U.S. — Kansas State University’s International Grains Program partnered with AIB International and the International Association of Operative Millers (IAOM) for the Grain Milling: Food Safety and HACCP Workshop, from Oct. 22-24.

“The main purpose of this course is to educate people in the grain and milling industry about the importance of food product safety,” said Ed Hitch, director of food safety education at AIB International.

Participants learned about the basics of flour milling through presentations, workshops and a tour of the Hal Ross Flour Mill at Kansas State University. The tour allowed them to become familiar with the milling process and how to prevent potential food safety hazards. Participants also completed a workshop simulating how to develop, implement and maintain a HACCP program.

Many course participants had prior HACCP knowledge or had attended a different HACCP course, including Emmanuel Mshelia, production manager for Royal Mills and Foods, Ltd. But, Mshelia still wanted to learn more about HACCP.

“This course was more in-depth and detailed than others I attended. I now have the knowledge on how to step up a HACCP plan and implement it,” Mshelia said.

Participants who attended the course ranged from new mill employees to management personnel. Stephanie Lopez, vice-president of food safety education at AIB International, believes this course is useful to anyone in the grain milling industry, but also anyone who is currently developing a HACCP plan to meet new FDA standards.

“We target this course toward all types of grain milling professionals. I think that HACCP needs to be at the top of everyone’s list as far as insuring their program is robust. It needs to be a top priority because of the new FDA requirements that will be finalized soon,” Lopez said.