The FREDi Training and Compliance Center, accessible via FredTalks.com, is a free, online community portal created by the NWFPA. The web-based program builds education, ideas and collaboration for improved food safety and operational practices.
Safety boost
Andy Akins is sanitation, safety and environmental manager SVZ, a producer supplying fruit and vegetable ingredients. As an early adopter of the training platform, Akins believes the program has been useful in boosting safety and skills.
“I have found the FREDi Training and Compliance Center to be a valuable tool for establishing robust safety and training systems within our organization,” he said. “The materials, tools and support available are very helpful for a new company starting out, as well as an established organization that is looking to calibrate with established world class programs.”
Members can log into the program to access educational and compliance-assistance resources. Content also tackles workforce productivity management, risk mitigation and safety challenges.
Regulatory requirements
Requirements spelled out by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSCMA) call for food-related businesses to comply with accepted food safety and quality-assurance plans. Affected businesses include food processors, packaging companies, industry suppliers and a host of other businesses up and down the supply chain.
To help fulfil such requirements, the FREDi Training and Compliance center offers online training for Safe Quality Food (SQF), Foundation for Food Safety Certification (FSSC) 22000 or British Retail Consortium (BRC). It also covers Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) employee training.