Last week, several members of the Quality and Food Safety team at Cereal Docks Group achieved an important milestone by successfully completing the training course to obtain the PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification. This qualification, required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is essential for exporting food ingredients to the United States.
The 20-hour training program, organized in collaboration with Paolo Brusutti from Iseven Servizi, enabled participants to acquire specialized skills to develop, implement, and manage a Food Safety Plan that complies with the requirements of the FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act). The objective is to ensure the food safety of products destined for the U.S. market, supporting the Group’s broader internationalization strategy.
What is PCQI?
A PCQI is a highly qualified professional essential for ensuring food safety within companies. They are responsible for developing and implementing food safety plans designed to prevent and control risks, based on a thorough analysis of potential hazards.
Additionally, they conduct risk assessments to identify possible contaminations, evaluate their severity and likelihood, establish preventive controls, and monitor the effectiveness of the measures adopted, making adjustments when necessary. Finally, they periodically update the safety plan to reflect changes in processes or products.
The Role of the FDA
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. government agency responsible for regulating food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and medical devices, introduced the PCQI requirement as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This legislation has revolutionized how food safety is managed in the United States, shifting from a reactive approach to a preventive one. The goal is to ensure food is safe for consumption, thereby protecting public health.
A Key Step Towards New Markets
For Cereal Docks Group, obtaining PCQI certification represents a significant step in opening up new international markets. This qualification not only ensures compliance with FDA regulations but also demonstrates the company’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of food quality and safety.
A special thank you goes to our Quality team and Iseven Servizi for their support and professionalism throughout this journey.
