Virginia Sea Grant extension at Virginia Tech offers Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and Good Management Practices (GMP) training for seafood processors. In 2013, 130 members of the seafood processing community received HACCP training. 43 English-speaking and 70 Spanish-speaking received GMP training for a total of 113 people. HACCP training focuses on FDA seafood safety issues, while GMP training focuses on FDA sanitation issues, good hygiene of employees, processing environment conditions, etc. Processors participate to refresh their knowledge, train new employees, or address a citation from an inspector. Those who have attended have said: “Thank you for the trainings; makes our operation staff aware of the importance of GMP’s especially in the sanitation areas. Personnel accept these practices more openly when confirmed by an outside source” and “Your services have provided a foundation towards our success.” Since 2009, 536 English-speaking and 108 Spanish-speaking individuals received HACCP training. This program works toward Virginia Sea Grant’s goal of providing technical support and guidance to industry to increase food safety and product quality.
