Export Chamber, USAID offer second PCQI certifications | Page 2 | Sunday Observer

Export Chamber, USAID offer second PCQI certifications

15 May, 2022

The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will offer the second online course to become certified as a Preventative Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirement in order for firms to export to the U.S. food and beverage market.

The US FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) law on “Preventive Controls for Human Food Regulation” aims to prevent foodborne illnesses through the safe preparation of food products for human consumption in the United States. This regulation requires food and beverage production facilities to have at least one Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) to lead the creation, application, and verification of risk-based preventive controls. A PCQI is critical for an FDA-compliant food safety program.

The three-day, 20-hour course will be on June 7, 9, and 10 from 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. (IST) each day. On successful completion of this FDA-approved standardized curriculum, participants will receive a Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) PCQI certificate recognised by the FDA and issued by the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) and the International Food Protection Training Institute. Fulfilling the requirements to be a PCQI is a critical step in exporting food and beverages to the United States.

Up to ten persons can participate in the course, which will be conducted by certified instructor in Preventive Controls for Human Food, Kemasorooby Vasenth.

This course is aimed at exporters seeking to meet the training requirements for the PCQI.

In order to attend the course, participants must have prior knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) or experience with food safety systems. Applicants from women owned/led businesses and businesses from outside of Western Province are encouraged to apply. The first course was conducted on April 5, 7 and 8, 2022.

The deadline for application is May 20, 2022.

USAID’s Partnership for Accelerating Results in Trade, National Expenditure and Revenue (PARTNER) project is a $19 million, five-year initiative to minimize bottlenecks to trade, bolster Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and strengthen the capacity of small and medium enterprises, private sector associations, and chambers of commerce to promote a vibrant private sector in Sri Lanka.

The PARTNER project is one component of the longstanding partnership between the American and Sri Lankan people to support self-reliance and promote a healthy, educated, and employed population.

Comments