Free Seminar for Producers of Value-Added Foods

The Missouri Food Safety Task Force is hosting a free seminar for producers looking to market value-added food products.

"This meeting should be of interest to anyone wanting to sell any type of value-added food products in Missouri," said Londa Nwadike, University of Missouri Extension state food safety specialist. "This includes people wanting to make foods at home to sell at farmers markets as well as large-scale food processors."

The meeting is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 8, at the Stoney Creek Hotel, 2601 S. Providence Road, Columbia.

"We have invited various food safety experts to address small-, medium- and large-scale food processors," said Lakshmikantha "Kantha" Channaiah, MU assistant professor for food processing and safety. "This will be an interactive meeting to prepare producers and producer groups to evaluate the potential marketability of a value-added food products."

Channaiah describes the seminar as "an enterprising approach to developing new ideas and products for growers and producers in the state."

Topics include common foodborne illnesses in Missouri, adding value to food products, services offered by MU Extension and Lincoln University Extension, operating a food processing business in Missouri, food labeling, Missouri's cottage food law and microbial control.

The seminar is jointly organized by the University of Missouri and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, with funding support from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Details and registration .For more information, contact Kantha Channaiah at lchannaiah@missouri.edu(opens in new window).

The Missouri Food Safety Task Force, which comprises regulatory, industry, academic and consumer groups, works toward greater awareness of potential food safety concerns, collaboration among food protection stakeholders and protection of public health.