Approved Persons Course for Thermal Processing of Low-Acid Foods

This course will provide participants with necessary skills to design a safe and commercially viable thermal schedule for the processing of low-acid food products in hermetically sealed packaging. The course involves four days of lectures in thermal processing, practical heat penetration work, process calculations, tutorials, and preparation for exams. Two examinations will be given on the fifth day, which will cover theory and practical thermal processing calculations. Participants who successfully pass the examinations will be authorised to submit new thermal process schedules for approval by Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. New Zealand participants will also be authorised with the Ministry of Primary Industries.

Course modules

1. Microbiology of cannery operations
2. Thermal processing concepts
3. Heat resistance of microorganisms
4. The trapezoidal integration method
5. Mathematics of heat transfer
6. The Gillespy method
7. Calculations for non-scheduled processes
8. Retorting and over-pressure
9. Techniques for validating retort performance

Details

• Duration: 5 Days – 10 November to 14 November 2025
• Times: 8.30 am – 5.00 pm
• Enrolments: Restricted to approximately 12 people
• Location: CSIRO 671 Sneydes Road, Werribee, VIC, Australia
• Cost: AUD $4000 per person (Includes lunches, course manual, & certificate (pending exam results)
• Cancellation: If received by 13 October 2025, a $320 administration fee will be charged. No refunds will be paid after this date, however substitute delegates are welcome
• Clothing: Please have safety boots available. Protective coats provided
• Accommodation: Not included. Contact us for local accommodation options.
• What to bring: Good scientific calculator with log and power functions as a minimum
• Course manual: Course manual is provided day 1. Manual weighs approx 2 kilos and measures 31cm x 32cm x 9cm. Be prepared for study of course material each evening.
• Closing date: 24 October 2025
  Contact: Diana Castree T +61 3 9731 3426 E approvedpersonscourse@csiro.au