IEH Academy

Quality Assurance & Quality Control for FDA Food Compliance

Course details

Self-Paced eLearning

49.00

30 minutes

Dr. Suf Alkhaldi

This course provides a practical framework for developing Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) systems that align with FDA requirements, including FSMA, 21 CFR 117, and HACCP. Participants will learn how to prepare for FDA audits, reduce the risk of recalls and 483s, and build defensible SOPs, accurate records, and meaningful metrics that protect both food safety and brand integrity. 
Through expert instruction, case studies, quizzes, and downloadable templates, learners will gain the skills to turn regulatory expectations into daily practices that support compliance and long-term business success.

Benefits and Learning Objectives

  • Define the roles of FDA and USDA-FSIS in managing product recalls and withdrawals.
  • Identify the classifications of recalls and their implications for public health.
  • Explain the key steps in developing an effective recall strategy, including root cause analysis and communication plans.
  • Describe the importance of compliance monitoring and recall effectiveness checks.
  • Summarize best practices for record-keeping and regulatory follow-up during recalls.
  • Analyze the significance of global collaboration in managing international recalls.

Topics Covered:

  • Foundation & Regulations
    • Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP)
    • Preventive Controls
    • Validation
    • Data integrity
  • Practical QC & SPC
    • Sampling
    • Testing
    • Statistical Process Control (SPC)
    • Out-of-Specification (OOS) / Corrective Action and Preventive Action (CAPA)
  • Lifecycle & Collaboration
    • Shell life
    • Lot release
    • QA-QC synergy

Who Should Attend?

  • Quality Assurance and Quality Control professionals
  • Food Safety and Regulatory Affairs managers
  • Production and Operations managers
  • R&D and Technical staff supporting compliance
  • Staff preparing for FDA inspections or audits

Registration and Payment

To register for this course, please visit our training portal.

Dr. Suf Alkhaldi

Meet the Instructor

Dr. Suf Alkhaldi

Dr. Suf Alkhaldi joined IEH as the Senior Vice President of Technical Services in 2023. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Microbiology and Cell Molecular Biology from Oklahoma State University. He also conducted a postdoctoral study in Rumen Microbiology in Animal and Dairy Science at the University of Georgia and served as the manager of the DNA Microarray Lab at Yerkes National Primate Research Center at Emory University.

Before joining IEH, Dr. Alkhaldi spent over two decades at FDA which has been characterized by his exceptional contributions to innovation and regulatory excellence. He began as a researcher and food outbreak investigator at the Center for Food and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), focusing on developing cutting-edge methods for identifying pathogenic bacteria in food using molecular techniques. With over 29 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 14 reviewed papers and book chapters, and co-editing “The Bad Bug Book,” he demonstrated a strong commitment to knowledge-sharing and food safety. Dr. Alkhaldi has played an instrumental role in resolving the FDA’s 2008 pepper outbreak investigation.

Throughout his extensive career at FDA, Dr. Alkhaldi held various roles, including Project Manager, Supervisor, and Senior Science Advisor in the Office of the Chief Scientist. He actively participated in influential working groups and the FDA Funded Centers of Excellence, reinforcing his dedication to advancing microbiology and FDA drug policies. Adding to his accomplishments, Dr. Alkhaldi received over 20 FDA awards between 2000 and 2023.

Dr. Alkhaldi was selected to lead the Office of Safety within the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA). His exceptional leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was evident as he led a team of 24 Industrial Hygienists and safety professionals. Their dedication ensured the safety of 5,000 FDA employees and provided support for 16 FDA laboratories, demonstrating his significant impact in fostering a safe and innovative regulatory environment within the FDA and the broader field of food microbiology.