• Microbiological Laboratory Services
• Analytical Laboratory Services
  • Aflatoxin Sampling Testing Program
  • Aflatoxin Contamination of Food Products
• Food Process Performance and Validation Services
  • Food Validation Protocols
  • Thermal Process Validation Services
  • Non-thermal Process Validation Services
  • Types of Non-thermal Process Validation
  • Quality Assurance Services
• Applicable Federal Regulations
• Defining a Process Authority
  • The Regulations: A Changed Industry
  • The Process Authority: Definitions and Responsibilities
  • Who is Qualified? The View from FDA and USDA
  • Process Authority Responsibilities
  • Future Challenges
• About Food Safety and Process Technology
  • Our Offices and Laboratories
  • Our Experiece as Food Process Authorities
  • About Dr. Rick Falkenberg
  • In the Press
  • Contact Us
• Additional Information
  • Food Irradiation
  • Food Production and Processing Resources
  • Food Labelling
  • Biotechnology

Defining a Process Authority

By Rick Falkenberg Ph.D.

As a certified process authority, I am often asked what a process authority is and what their responsibilities are. The answers to these questions give us a better understanding of the process authority's essential role in the food processing industry.

Future Challenges

The aseptic area is one worth mentioning; however, is a complete topic in itself. But these aren't the only new challenges the thermal processing industry faces. Food packaging and containers have also changed in recent years and have a tremendous impact on the way foods are processed. Flexible pouches, plastic containers, and other packaging forms have entered the thermal processing arena.

When one steps back and looks at all of the responsibility the processor and process authority must share, it should appear terrifying. The process authority needs almost to be a fortune teller; able to see the entire potential problem areas associated with processing, in advance of establishing a process. The responsibility is quite comprehensive and should not be entrusted to the inexperienced players.