The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Services (FAS) is excited to announce a Cochran Fellowship Program (CFP) exchange opportunity for Food Safety Standards and Regulations in fiscal year (FY) 2025. Food safety standards and regulations are integral to the FAS mission of enhancing export opportunities and increasing global food security. Harmonized global standards ensure trust and quality of food products across international borders and these standards help prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses and containments by establishing uniform criteria for production, processing, and handling of agricultural products. Moreover, it supports food security by fostering a predictable, safe and reliable trading environment.
The Cochran Fellowship Program (CFP), in coordination with the University of Tennessee, will conduct a two-week long training program focused on U.S. food safety and regulations. This training will increase Fellows’ knowledge of the U.S regulatory system and internationally recognized science-based food safety measures that facilitate international trade. Additionally, Fellows will meet with U.S. producers, cooperatives, associations, regulatory agencies, and companies to observe how the private sector and government work in partnership.
Training program themes including, but are not limited to the following:
- Understanding U.S. food safety regulations
- Traceability requirements, risk-based assessment
- Regulatory office roles (FDA, APHIS, EPA, FSIS)
- Interagency responses to WTO, SPS, and TBT notifications
- Regulatory measures on biosafety/biosecurity
- Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) implantation
- Understanding U.S. food safety and implementation
- Food controls, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Principles (HAACP)
- Distribution chain, food safety during transport and storage
- Qualitative and quantitative methods to assess risk
- Food processing, quality, and handling
- Good agricultural and laboratory practices
- Response to foodborne illness outbreaks, food safety audits
- Food preservation; food additive use (including food colorings)
- Understanding International Food Safety and Standards and Trade
- Pre-registration and post-registration, maximum residue levels
- Import/export requirements for food products
- Nutritional and food safety education
Eligibility Requirements:
Candidates can be individuals working in either the public or private sector who are interested in learning about food safety standards and regulations. The objective of this program is to improve the Fellow’s understanding of the U.S food safety and regulatory systems and harmonize their food safety regulatory systems with evidence-based international standards. The goal is to promote U.S. food safety standards and increase global food security through increased participation in the international trading system.
Must be a citizen of and currently reside in Angola, Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Excellent comprehension of the English language (reading, writing, and speaking)
Fellows must be in good physical and mental health. A thorough physical exam is required by a licensed doctor prior to traveling to the United States.
The Objectives of the Program:
The objective of this program is to improve the Fellow’s understanding of the U.S food safety and regulatory systems and harmonize their food safety regulatory systems with evidence-based international standards. The goal is to promote U.S. food safety standards and increase global food security through increased participation in the international trading system.
Application Requirements:
Completed application form (Attached). Please note: the application should not be altered as it has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget.
Copies of diploma(s) for college/university degree(s) received.
Copy of passport identification page.
For any questions related to the application forms, application process, please contact Pamela Ngqinani at NgqinaniP@state.gov
All applications must be submitted by email by no later than 17:00 on Friday, 1st November 2024, to Pamela Ngqinani (NgqinaniP@state.gov), cc AgPretoria@state.gov
