Hands-on industry training programs aim to strengthen dairy plant safety, regulatory compliance, and supply chain risk management
Washington, D.C., United States, 18 March 2026 – The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy has announced its 2026 schedule of in-person food safety workshops designed to help dairy manufacturers improve production safety, meet regulatory requirements, and reduce foodborne risks.
These training programs focus on strengthening food safety practices across the dairy industry. Through practical, hands-on sessions led by industry experts, the workshops bring together dairy processors, suppliers, and industry partners to collaborate on improving food safety performance throughout the dairy value chain.
Since establishing its Food Safety Committee in 2010, the Innovation Center has trained more than 5,500 industry professionals through 125 workshops. These programs have focused on dairy plant safety, artisan and farmstead cheesemaking, and supplier food safety management. The initiative provides a collaborative platform where companies can share best practices and improve safety standards across the sector.
One of the key programs is the Dairy Plant Food Safety Workshop, a two-day training designed to help participants strengthen their food safety programs and implement preventive controls aligned with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
The workshop includes short lectures, real-world case studies, and small group exercises that address major food safety challenges in dairy processing. Topics covered include environmental monitoring, sanitary equipment design, sanitation standard operating procedures, allergen management, and the prevention of foreign material contamination.
The program is based on a science-driven concept known as “The Pathogen Equation,” which focuses on identifying and controlling harmful pathogens within dairy production environments. The training also encourages peer learning, allowing participants to exchange insights and practical strategies with other professionals from across the dairy industry.
The workshops are designed to support both wet and dry product dairy operations. The registration fee for the program is 595 dollars per participant.
The 2026 Dairy Plant Food Safety Workshop schedule includes several locations across the United States. The first session will take place from March 31 to April 1 in Greeley, Colorado, hosted by Leprino Foods and Hilmar Cheese. Another workshop will be held June 30 to July 1 in Madison, Wisconsin, hosted by Sargento Foods, Foremost Farms, and the Center for Dairy Research.
Additional sessions are scheduled for August 26 to 27 in Pasco, Washington, hosted by Darigold and Tillamook Cheese, and September 22 to 23 in Arden Hills, Minnesota, hosted by Land O’Lakes.
In addition to plant safety training, the Innovation Center will also offer a Supplier Food Safety Management Workshop. This program is designed for dairy companies and their supply chain partners who want to strengthen safety practices across their supplier networks.
Participants will learn how to identify risks related to ingredients, packaging materials, equipment, and services used in dairy manufacturing. The workshop also provides guidance on building supplier verification systems aligned with FSMA requirements, including hazard analysis, preventive controls, and supplier performance monitoring. The date and location for this workshop will be announced soon.
To further support the industry, the Innovation Center has released Pathogen Control Guidance 2.0, an updated resource developed by dairy food safety experts. The guide provides expanded recommendations for managing pathogens in both wet and dry dairy processing environments. It also includes guidance on hygienic facility separation and effective brine system management.
The updated guidance aligns with the Pathogen Equation framework used in the workshops, reinforcing practical methods for controlling contamination risks in dairy processing facilities.
By expanding training opportunities and providing updated industry resources, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy continues to support stronger food safety practices and improved operational standards across the dairy manufacturing sector.
