TCCSFP is a collaboration between JIFSAN and the Department of Food Engineering at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) and the National Food Institute (NFI). Over the years the U.S. has imported large volumes of processed foods from Southeast Asia and particularly Thailand.  It was recognized that an increased number of outbreaks of illness in the U.S. were associated with processed foods illustrating the danger of assuming that foods are free of pathogens simply because they are processed and packaged. Given there were known ways to reduce such hazards through proper commercially sterile food packaging (CSFP), in 2013 the decision was taken that JIFSAN and US-FDA would work with partners in Thailand to establish a CTI with the goal of expanding the cadre of qualified food safety trainers in-country in CSFP.

• • November 2013 -  Phase I training in CSFP was conducted in Bangkok, Thailand for participants from government agencies, industry and academia. In addition to classroom presentations, the group toured a coconut processing facility to conduct a mock inspection and a review of thermal processing activities. Many of the students had previously attended a Better Process Control School (BPCS) and had advanced knowledge of thermal processing, including aseptic processing and ohmic heating. Eleven of the participants were selected to become resident lead trainers.
• • 2014 - Formal MOU was signed between JIFSAN and KMUTT to establish a CTI for future collaboration.
• • May 2014 – Phase II - resident lead trainers traveled to the US and participated in a two-week intensive training.  The first was held at the JIFSAN training center on the University of Maryland campus in College Park May 12-20. The second part was held May 21-22 at the National Center for Food Safety and Technology, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) (link to that Center). The program included lecturers for JIFSAN and FDA staff and a field trip to tour a food manufacturing facility near Baltimore, Maryland.
• • Unfortunately, we have had few reports of Phase III training activity from Thailand. However, all components of the program have been archived at JIFSAN and it would be feasible to update and deliver the program to a new audience.

TCCSFP action to facilitate “buy-in” to have a larger multiplier effect

Metric highlights to date

• • CSPF Metrics page

Manuals and publications

• • Used JIFSAN’s primary training manuals
• • Used Local Language

Other publications/conference proceedings

News articles mentioning CTI’s work

Link’s to other “sister” projects building on CTC work (page in progress)