Penn State Extension Food Safety Programs

Penn State Extension offers numerous convenient, affordable courses to help food industry professionals advance their careers in food safety and manufacturing.  

Flexible online or in-person courses can help individuals achieve lifestyle, career and personal goals. All courses offer resume-building certificates of completion. Some also fulfill government requirements for food safety regulations. 

Penn State Extension offers three self-paced online courses for working professionals interested in food safety or food manufacturing: 

• Introduction to Food Packaging: Materials, Manufacturing and Innovation. Learn design and sustainability of food packaging materials, advantages and disadvantages of packaging types, trends, costs and how packaging is used to market food items. 
• Listeria Control in Food Operations. Discover strategies to prevent and control Listeria monocytogenes in facilities, learn the risks associated with ready-to-eat foods, dive into relevant regulations and explore best practices.  
• Food Safety and Sanitation for Food Manufacturers. Explore the science behind illness and sanitation while learning best practices to ensure food safety in the commercial manufacturing of food products. 

These engaging courses allow participants to learn when and where they want. Readings, videos and knowledge check questions guide them through the process. 

Penn State Extension also offers options for those who prefer face-to-face learning. 

In-person workshops include: 

• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) for Meat and Poultry Processors
• Preventive Controls for Human Foods (PCHF) Version 2.0 for recognition as a preventive controls qualified individual

In-person short courses offered are: 

• Chocolate Short Course 
• Cultured Dairy Products Short Course 
• Food Safety and Sanitation for Food Manufacturers Short Course 
• Pasteurization Short Course 

Employers who want to register three or more staff members for these courses can take advantage of group discounts. 

Continuing education credits earned in all these classes can count toward Penn State’s Food Science Certificate program. That allows individuals to tailor their education by taking courses that best suit their needs.  

Classes are taught by knowledgeable faculty, scientists and educators — including nationally known experts. Skills acquired in food safety or food processing and technology can prepare individuals for new career opportunities in the food industry. 

Learn more about Penn State Extension courses in food safety and manufacturing at extension.psu.edu/food-safety-info.