BAE Professor Leads Modernization Effort for MSU's Better Process Control School Platform
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EmailBAE Professor Dr. Kirk Dolan leads effort to modernize the Better Process Control School for Manufactures
Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department (and Food Science and Human Nutrition) Professor Dr. Kirk Dolan has been part of the Better Process Control School (BCPS) since early 2000. The Better Process Control School is a program that was developed to meet the Federal regulation requirement and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Michigan State University (MSU) as one of the authorized schools to teach this program. Federal regulation requires that processors of thermally processed low-acid or acidified foods must operate with a supervisor who has passed the BPCS. Prior to joining Michigan State University, Dr. Dolan worked for 6 years for Pharmaceutical & Food Specialists in San Jose, CA, a food safety consulting company. Dr. Dolan is an FDA-recognized process authority, so he brings extensive industry experience and knowledge to students of the Better Process Control School. Dr. Dolan also uses his industry connections to bring additional industry experts to the program such as Food Safety Specialist Cathy Martin with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
(Left: Jason Hofman and Right: Kirk Dolan)
The course serves all business sizes and ranges from mom-and-pop operations producing pickled products to large companies producing canned potato soup. With such a range of clients, it was important to tailor the content as much as possible to provide the best instruction. In 2022, the Consumer Brands Association put together a new book and slides to be utilized in the Better Process Control School. The course now consists of three certifications: acidified, retort, and aseptic. Not all companies need all three courses, with most small companies not needing the retort or aseptic courses. The new format allows individuals to select the certifications that meet their business needs.
In 2021, Dr. Dolan transitioned the Better Process Control School course offered at MSU to an online platform, which has allowed for a broader audience to attend, increased convenience for attendees, and a lower cost. This has been well received in the industry because, in 2022, Dr. Dolan taught the course online and had thirty-eight attendees. Dr. Dolan is improving the online course for next year intending to serve more clients in Michigan and beyond.
Click here to learn more about the Better Process Control School
