The Food Science Pilot Plant is an FDA and IDPH registered facility for general manufacturing of human and animal food. We are committed to producing safe, quality food-grade products. In addition to promoting an operationally productive place to work, we have built a strong food safety culture to ensure that all projects meet the high standards of our clients. Full-time staff complete Food Protection Manager Certifications through ServSafe. Two dedicated staff members are also Preventive Controls Qualified Individuals (PCQI), trained through the Food Safety Preventative Controls Alliance (FSPCA).
Students are trained in safe food handling practices and applied manufacturing food safety. The goal to have our graduates leave with the foundational knowledge of upholding a food safety plan, HACCP plans, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) in the food production space. We are annually audited for both operational and food safety through both the UIUC Division of Research Safety, IDPH, and other 3rd parties.
In addition to creating a strong food safety culture, we are also able to:
- Implement relevant monitoring and testing procedures if required for specific projects.
- Collect data relevant to quality and safety testing including temperature, pH, water activity, moisture percentage, and more.
Food Safety Team and
Preventative Controls Qualified Individuals
- Erin Kealey, Food Pilot Plant & Regulatory Specialist, FSPCA Preventative Controls for Human Food Version 2.0
- Jedi Brown, Senior Food Science Pilot Plant Specialist, FSPCA Preventative Controls for Human Food Version 1.0
- All FSHN Full-Time Staff complete ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certifications (FPMC)
- Required Food Safety & GMP training for students, with regular assessments
Process Authority
- Available for data collection to be sent to a Process Authority.
- We have a wide range of industry networks, and have connections with reputable Process Authorities and can request their services.
- Retorts are available for use for low acid, canned products for a variety of packaging types.
As we grow, we continue to cultivate our safety culture. If you have questions or suggestions for any portion of our food safety program, please feel free to reach out to our Food Pilot Plant & Regulatory Specialist, Erin Kealey (ekealey@illinois.edu)
FAQ
Can I commercialize my product (for retail sale) from the Food Science Pilot Plant?
One of our goals is to help institutions of all sizes bring their products to market in a safe, FDA-compliant manner. Even if a product isn’t the right fit for the FSHN Pilot Plant, our broad network of alumni and industry partners across the industry can help us guide you toward the most appropriate resources.
Can I do R&D projects that don’t require FDA registration?
As part of the University of Illinois, we stay true to our core competencies and longstanding commitment to research. This dedication means that, in addition to supporting industry-ready projects, we also engage in exploratory work that is not intended for human or animal consumption. These projects allow us to advance scientific understanding, test new technologies, and generate insights that ultimately strengthen our ability to support partners across the full spectrum of product development.
Can I do USDA projects in your facility?
Products produced with meat, eggs, or poultry intended for retail sale or human consumption cannot be produced, as we do not have a USDA registration.
However, we would be happy to assist in R&D projects for data collection, internal product testing, or scale up purposes for products that are not intended for human or animal consumption. Even if a project requires USDA registration, we can utilize our connections with UIUC alumni and industry partners to help guide you towards appropriate resources.
Do you have any 3rd party (GFSI) certifications?
We do not currently, as the pilot facility requires a dynamic, flexible space where additional auditing is not required.
We are annually audited through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and are registered through the FDA. We would be happy to discuss additional food safety requirements, labeling requirements (allergens, Kosher, etc.) upon request.
Do you have HACCP Plans, GMPs, or Prerequisite Programs? Can they be provided?
These documents are available upon request, and we are capable of adapting food based on individual project or client requirements.
Our students and staff are regularly trained in food safety, and our full-time staff at the Food Science Pilot Plant complete Food Protection Manager Certifications through ServSafe, and two full-time staff are designated as Preventative Controls Qualified Individuals (PCQI).