The Institute is the foundation of public and private partnerships that provides the scientific basis for ensuring a safe, wholesome food supply as well as provide the infrastructure for contributions to national food safety programs and international food standards. The Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN) was established between the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the University of Maryland (UM) in April 1996. The Institute is a jointly administered, multidisciplinary research, education and outreach program. The Institute fosters the missions of FDA and the University through the creation of partnerships to increase the quantity and quality of research, which will provide the basis for sound public health policy. It promotes food safety and human nutrition and animal health and production through an integrated academic and regulatory science program. This includes multidisciplinary research, outreach and educational programs, and policy studies. The participation of FDA scientists in JIFSAN collaborative research programs related to FDA's mission and the consultative arrangements with other scientists associated with FDA, the Institute, and the University ensures the critical science-based foundation needed to establish sound food safety policy. In addition, opportunities exist for collaborative projects with other Federal and state agencies, private industry, consumer and trade groups, and international organizations with mutual interests.

I. Mission

To advance sound strategies to improve public health, food safety, and applied nutrition using risk analysis principles through collaborative research, education, and outreach programs.

II. Vision

To be a premier source of scientific information and education programs on food safety and applied nutrition that enables the development of sound public health policy and reduces the incidences of food-related illness.

III. Key Objectives

a. Increase the global knowledge of effective, available practices that promote food safety throughout the supply chain.

b. Enhance the development and promote the use of risk analysis models and tools for decision making processes associated with food safety and applied nutrition.

c. Promote collaborative research efforts related to risk analysis, food safety, and applied nutrition.

d. Broaden the research educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students at University of Maryland.

e. Promote the development of private and public partnerships to improve food safety.

In-Class

Core Courses:

The Core Courses teach the fundamental terminology, knowledge and approaches used in risk analysis. This competency is essential for all food safety professionals.

Overview of Risk Analysis

Food Safety Risk Management

Food Safety Risk Assessment

Food Safety Risk Communication

Specialized Courses:

Epidemiology for Risk Analysis

Quantitative Risk Assessment

 

Depending on the number of registrants, classes are offered either on-site at the JIFSAN facility located adjacent to the University of Maryland College Park campus or one of our partner hotel and conference facilities. This information is available at the time of registration. Lodging is NOT included in the price of your registration. You are responsible for making your own lodging reservations. When the course is conducted at an offsite hotel and conference center it is HIGHLY recommended you make arrangements to stay at that facility and ensure availability prior to registering for a course. If you have any questions please contact Antoinette Barbour at barboura@umd.edu.

JIFSAN has developed customized in classroom and online training courses on risk analysis to meet the needs of selected groups of professionals with specific needs. If you would be interested in a customized training program, please contact Dr. Clare Narrod at cnarrod@umd.edu

Generally the registration deadline is two weeks before the start date of a class, however there are a limited number of spots for each class and the classes are filled on a first come first served basis. Therefore you should complete the registration and payment process as early as possible for each class in order to reserve your spot. Registration is not considered complete until full payment is received. Your registration may be cancelled if the class fills before full payment is received.

For classes that we host we provide to you a pen, pad and paper. We also provide laptop computers for use during quantitative courses that have all necessary software pre-loaded. These laptop computers must remain in the classroom at all time and cannot be removed from our facilities.

A certificate of completion will be mailed to your address on file upon successful completion of each course.

For detailed pricing please see our registration or course information pages.

We offer discounts when you register for our Core Program or our Quantitative Track Program.

Payment

You should complete the registration and payment process as early as possible for each class in order to reserve your spot. Registration is not considered complete until full payment is received. Your registration may be cancelled if the class fills before full payment is received.For online courses, participants will not receive login information until payment is received.

Please keep in mind your registration is not complete until your balance is paid in full. We have a limited number of seats and in order to reserve a seat all dues must be paid in full. If you have registered but not paid you are not guaranteed a seat.

JIFSAN prefers credit card payments at the time of registration however other payment methods are accepted. These include but are not limited to Wire Transfers, Purchase Orders, Checks, etc., for more details please email us. In some instances JIFSAN may request a credit card to hold your registration if another payment method is delayed.  Specific instructions are available when you register.

International Registrants: Advance payment in full is required to process international applications. If we have not received payment two weeks before the start of an on-site class we reserve the right to cancel your registration.

Late Fees:

Online Courses: An additional fee of US $50.00 will be assessed for those who register after the registration deadline.

Classroom Courses: An additional fee of US $50.00 will be assessed for those who register after the registration deadline.

An additional late payment fee of US $50.00 will be assessed for those who have not paid in full one week prior to the start of any class. Your registration may also be automatically cancelled if we have not received payment by this date to make room for those who are on the wait list.

Cancellation and Substitution Policy

Up to 31 days prior to course start date: Refund of amount paid minus US$50.00 processing fee

30 days to 7 days prior to course start date: Refund 50% of amount paid

Less than 7 days prior to course start date: No Refund

All Registration fees will be fully refunded in the unlikely event JIFSAN cancels the course.

Substitutions are accepted at any time before the course starts. Please contact Dr. Clare Narrod at cnarrod@umd.edu in advance to notify us of any substitutions. There are no fees for substitutions.

Substitutions are accepted at any time before the course starts. Please contact Antoinette Barbour at barboura@umd.edu in advance to notify us of any substitutions. There are no fees for substitutions.

You can pay with any major credit card online when you register for the class. You can also make arrangements for other types of payments (check, wire transfer, etc.) instructions will be provided when you register.

Lodging, airfare and ground transportation are not included in your registration fee. You are responsible for making all reservations for your accommodations during your visit. This includes airfare, hotel and rental car if necessary.

While we cannot make reservations for you, we can provide any assistance or advice you need in order to make your stay more enjoyable. Please email a program coordinator and we can put you in contact with someone who can help you through the process of making housing or transportation arrangements.

No, transportation to and from the hotel is your responsibility.

The first day of class we recommend you arrive at 8:30am to familiarize yourself with the facility and receive your class materials, however in general classroom classes begin at 9:00am and conclude at 5:00pm (EST).

There are breaks mid-morning and mid-afternoon and these vary by class depending on the instructor and the course. Light break outs and lunch are both available on site.

Lunch is provided on-site daily for each class.

 

The intermediate courses require a basic knowledge of excel. The advanced courses require an more in-depth knowledge of excel. You may want to familiarize yourself with our tutorial page so you can come fully prepared. These tutorials are related to the week long Quantitative courses.

You may bring a laptop or tablet if you wish there is normally no fee for wifi in the classroom, however for the Quantitative Risk Assessment courses JIFSAN provides the use of a laptop computer and all the necessary software for the course. These laptop computers cannot be taken from the classroom. We also ask that you leave all food and drinks outside the classroom when using JIFSAN laptop computers.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Antoinette Barbour by email at barboura@umd.edu.

 

JIFSAN is open daily and visitors are accepted by appointment only.

 

For more information about visiting please call the JIFSAN offices directly at 301-405-8382.