By Rebecca Phillips
Picture it, you’re attending a workshop at Cornell and the very last presentation is about to start. At this point you’re tired… you’ve networked, learned technical knowledge, and practiced applying this knowledge in the Cornell pilot plant. As the end of the day approaches, you find it harder to stay focused and not think about the trip home. Sound familiar??
This was the exact challenge that Kathy Laviolette (DPS II, Labeling & Standards, NYS Ag & Markets) faced when presenting about food labeling during the recent Artisan Ice Cream Workshop. Although the class could have been distracted, the complete opposite occurred. Not only were the participants writing down notes, but they also had lots of questions for Kathy.
With allergens being the #1 cause of food recalls, it’s imperative that allergen labeling is understood and correctly implemented. That said, it’s also important to recognize that required labeling regulations span beyond allergens. To help navigate these regulations, we’re excited to announce that a labeling workshop will be offered in multiple locations throughout NYS starting in August 2024.
The lead instructor for this workshop will be Kathy Laviolette. Kathy has 20 years of experience with NYS Ag & Markets Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services. She currently serves as the sole dairy labeling expert for NYS. Kathy has vast labeling knowledge including Grade-A and Non-Grade-A Products, the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO). This has allowed Kathy to assist countless companies within NYS as well as other states. This workshop will also be facilitated by Rebecca Phillips. Rebecca currently works as a Regional Dairy Processing Specialist within Cornell Dairy Foods Extension. She has 10 years of food industry experience, primarily focusing on product development. Rebecca also has experience with supplier and ingredient selection, formulation development, and creation of Nutrition Facts labels.
The primary learning outcome for this workshop will be for participants to understand labeling regulations applicable to dairy products. Discussion content will include federal requirements per the CFR, regulations specific to NYS, and important considerations from the PMO. This one-day workshop will focus on the fundamentals, while also exploring real-life examples.
Participants from all experience levels both within NYS and beyond are welcome to attend. Pre-requisites are not required. This workshop is expected to be most impactful for participants in regulatory, research & development, quality assurance, procurement, and operational roles. That said, we are beyond excited to interact with you and learn how this workshop can best serve your operation.
This workshop will be held in four locations throughout NYS starting in August 2024: Albany County, Orange County, Onondaga County, and Wyoming County. Registration will be capped once capacity is reached for each venue. Click here to register online and secure your spot. We hope to see you at this upcoming workshop!
