We provide assistance to ensure safety and stability of food products entering the marketplace including:
- Lab analysis for pH, water activity, and Brix measurement of food and beverage products.
- Process Authority approval and Scheduled Process: Product review, documentation, and process validation.
- Resources for nutrition analysis, co-packers, packaging suppliers, shelf-life studies and more.
- Regulatory Compliance: Registration and licensing with state and federal agencies.
- Small Scale Food Entrepreneurship: A technical guide for food ventures.
- Better Process Control School: Necessary certification for acidified and low-acid food manufacturers.
- Contact esk15 [at] cornell.edu (Elizabeth Sullivan) if you're interested in presentations and workshops.
Product review & safety validation
Service fees
The Better Process Control Schools (BPCS) certify supervisors and manufacturers using thermal processing systems, acidification and container closure evaluation programs for low-acid and acidified canned foods. This school satisfies the training requirements specified in both the FDA and USDA regulations for these types of products.
The school is divided into two parts, Acidified and Low Acid canned foods. Cornell’s Food Venture Center is currently offering the Acidified foods certification conducted over the course of two days. Participants will receive a certificate after successful completion.
2-Day Acidified Foods Course
$445.00 (includes the cost of the required book.)
Please Note: Only $150 will be refunded for cancellations one week or less from day one of class.
The following Acidified Foods courses are scheduled for 2025 - 2026:
In-Person
July 23rd & 24th in Watertown, NY:
CCE Jefferson County, 203 North Hamilton St.
Virtual/Online - Register Now!
- August 24th & 25th
- October 26th & 27th
- December 7th & 8th
Student requirements for Virtual Course:
- Text book at the cost of $85.00 plus shipping and handling. The textbook ordering instructions will follow within one week after registration is completed.
- A computer with video conferencing capabilities and camera. Online instruction will be held using Zoom.
- Don't have zoom, sign up for free at https://www.zoom.us and click on "Sign Up, It"s Free"
- High-speed internet access
- A quiet space to participate in video conferencing with no noise interference
Highlighter, pen and notepad
Student participation:
- Register for this course in advance to receive individual login instructions
- Log into the course 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the class
- Instructors must have continual visual contact with students to receive credit
- Students will be able to ask and/or answer questions either via chat or audio
Students must turn off their phones and other recording devices during their time in class
Examination:
Exams are self-scoring. You will receive your results once you click submit
Currently no 4-day Acidified and Low Acid Foods Courses are scheduled. These will be scheduled upon demand.
If you would like to be added to our registration notification list for our courses please provide your information here.
Contact information: Kim Paul, kmp245 [at] cornell.edu; 315-408-1843
INSTRUCTORS
Dr. Olga Padilla-Zakour
Professor of Food Processing
Director of the Cornell Food Venture Center
Dr. Bruno Xavier
Process Authority
Associate Director of the Cornell Food Venture Center
Elizabeth Sullivan, MFS
Process Authority
Extension Associate, Cornell Food Venture Center
Cynthia James, MSFS, MSc
Extension Support Specialist, Cornell Food Venture Center
Cornell's Food Venture Center team has extensive experience and knowledge of food regulations, processing and safety. The Cornell Food Venture Center (CFVC) is recognized as a Processing Authority by state and federal regulatory agencies. CFVC provides education and comprehensive technical assistance to food entrepreneurs and food companies as part of Cornell University’s land grant mission.
New York state business
$30 one time fee
Non-New York state business
$60 one time fee
New York state business
$30 per sample/per test
Non-New York state business
$45 per sample/per test
Current turnaround is 1 week
New York state business
$50 per product
Non-New York state business
$80 per product
Current turnaround is 1-2 weeks
New York state business
$95 per product / $190 per product (expedited)
Non-New York state business
$190 per product / $380 per product (expedited)
Current turnaround is 4-6 weeks (regular service) / 2-3 weeks (expedited service)
New York state business
$150 per product / $300 per product (expedited)
Non-New York state business
$300 per product / $600 per product (expedited)
Current turnaround is 4-6 weeks (regular service) / 2-3 weeks (expedited service)
Scheduled Process Versions are slight modifications to a formulation to create another product. Example: Mild salsa and hot salsa
New York state business
$45 per product / $90 per product (expedited)
Non-New York state business
$90 per product / $180 per product (expedited)
Current turnaround is 4-6 weeks (regular service) / 2-3 weeks (expedited service)
New York state business
$45 per product / $90 per product (expedited)
Non-New York state business
$90 per product / $180 per product (expedited)
Current turnaround is 4-6 weeks (regular service) / 2-3 weeks (expedited service)
New York state business
$75 per product / $150 per product (expedited)
Non-New York state business
$145 per product / $290 per product (expedited)
Current turnaround is 4-6 weeks (regular service) / 2-3 weeks (expedited service)
It is highly recommended to have your Scheduled Process reevaluated every three years to reflect any updates in regulatory language requirements or new research discoveries.
New York state business
$25 per product / $50 per product (expedited)
Non-New York state business
$45 per product/ $90 per product (expedited)
Current turnaround is 4-6 weeks (regular service) / 2-3 weeks (expedited service)
New York state business
$185 per product / $370 per product (expedited)
Non-New York state business
$255 per product / $510 per product (expedited)
Current turnaround is 4-6 weeks (regular service) / 2-3 weeks (expedited service)
New York state business
$400 per product size
Non-New York state business
$660 per product size
New York state business
$85 per product / $170 per product (expedited)
Non-New York state business
$165 per product / $330 per product (expedited)
Current turnaround is 4-6 weeks (regular service) / 2-3 weeks (expedited service)