About Risk

JIFSAN|CFS3
University of Maryland
Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN)
Center for Food Safety and Security Systems (CFS3)

REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

2026 Food Safety Risk Analysis Training

 


Live Online Instructor-Led Training via ZOOM For U.S. and International Food Safety Professionals

Food safety risk analysis is essential for protecting public health and supporting science-based regulatory decisions worldwide. Ensuring food safety requires a comprehensive approach that integrates scientific evaluation, strategic decision-making, and clear communication.

The University of Maryland’s Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN) offers a professional training program designed to strengthen the capacity of government, industry, and public health professionals to evaluate, manage, and communicate food safety risks.

This program introduces participants to the core principles used globally in food safety risk analysis while building practical skills that support evidence-based decision-making and strengthen food safety systems.

Participants may enroll in individual courses or complete the CORE Food Safety Risk Analysis sequence:

  • Risk Management
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Communication

Together these courses form the CORE foundation of food safety risk analysis and align with internationally recognized risk analysis frameworks.

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?

JIFSAN training programs attract professionals from government, industry, academia, and international regulatory agencies.

This program is designed for:

  • Government food safety and regulatory personnel
  • Food industry and quality assurance personnel
  • Public health and policy professionals
  • Academic and research institutions
  • International food safety and development professionals

2026 CORE Food Safety Risk Analysis Courses

Participants may take individual courses or complete the three-course CORE sequence.
Register for all three CORE courses and receive an additional $100 program discount.
Total savings up to $550 when registering by June 1.

Risk Management Essentials

July 15-17, 2026 | 2.5 Days
Price: $1,100
Early Registration: $950 (by June 1)

Effective food safety starts with strong risk management—where decision-makers and analysts work together to identify challenges and implement solutions.

This interactive course introduces the principles of food safety risk management and equips professionals to navigate regulatory frameworks, evaluate policy options, and manage uncertainty.

Participants will:

  • Develop risk profiles
  • Establish priorities for risk management
  • Evaluate practical management strategies
  • Explore real-world decision-making scenarios

Through hands-on exercises and group discussions, participants gain tools to translate scientific information into practical regulatory and policy decisions.

Qualitative Risk Assessment

July 20-22, 2026 | 2.5 Days
Price: $1,100
Early Registration: $950 (by June 1)

Risk assessors play a crucial role in food safety risk analysis by evaluating hazards and estimating the likelihood and severity of harm.

This course provides a systematic approach for evaluating risks from chemical, microbial, and physical hazards in foods and generating information that informs risk management decisions.

Participants will learn how to:

  • Identify and characterize food safety hazards
  • Evaluate the likelihood and severity of adverse health outcomes
  • Apply structured qualitative risk assessment methods
  • Communicate risk assessment findings to decision-makers

This course is essential for professionals seeking to strengthen their ability to support science-based food safety decisions.

Risk Communication

August 4-6, 2026 | 3 days
Price: $1,100
Early Registration: $950 (by June 1)

Effective communication is essential to maintaining public confidence in food safety systems.

This course explores the principles and global practices of risk communication within food safety risk analysis.

Participants will learn how to:

  • Communicate scientific findings clearly
  • Engage with diverse stakeholders
  • Address uncertainty and risk perception
  • Facilitate transparent and effective dialogue

Participants will develop practical strategies for communicating risk information during routine regulatory activities and emerging food safety events.

Intermediate Course

Introduction to FDA-iRISK® and Quantitative Risk Assessment

September 28 - October 2, 2026 | 5 Days
Price: $2,200
Early Registration: $2,050 (by July 1)

This hands-on course introduces participants to quantitative risk assessment modeling using FDA i-RISK® and @RISK software.

Participants will learn how to develop probabilistic models using Monte Carlo simulation to evaluate food safety risks.

Topics include:

  • Risk model development
  • Probabilistic risk assessment methods
  • Data inputs and scenario analysis
  • Interpretation of model outputs for risk management decisions

A one-year @RISK software subscription is included with registration.

Prerequisites:
Basic probability/statistics and intermediate Excel skills.

Training Format

Courses are delivered live online via Zoom.
Typical schedule:

  • Morning session — 3 hours
  • Midday break — 2 hours
  • Afternoon session — 2.5 to 3 hours
(All times are U.S. Eastern Time)

Schedules may be adjusted slightly to accomodate international participants.

Early Registration Savings

Register early and save:

  • Save $150 per CORE course by June 1
  • Save $150 on FDA i-RISK® by July 1
  • Additional $100 discount when registering for all three CORE courses

Total savings up to $550

Register Now

View course details and register: Registration Coming Soon

For Program Questions Contact:

Judy Cooper
Program Coordinator
Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN)
University of Maryland
jkcooper@umd.edu