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The Food Innovation Center at Rutgers (FIC) is a unique food business incubator that is a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES).
We support established early-stage entrepreneurs and existing food companies, from concept to commercialization. Combining years of industry expertise and the advanced technologies offered by Rutgers, we provide business, marketing, food safety, product design, and scale-up expertise within FDA- and USDA-certified facilities to help companies successfully build and grow their businesses.
Upcoming training and events
Food Business Basics
Are you an early-stage entrepreneur looking to grow your business or expand the family recipe into a marketable and sellable product?
If so, then this course is for you. With this session you will understand how to navigate through the food business process, make improvements with product development, scale your product and so much more. Join us, for a productive and informative session that will help get your business to the next level.
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
8:00AM – 4:30PM
Rutgers Eco Complex
1200 Florence Columbus Rd
Bordentown, NJ 08505
Details and agenda | Register here
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Certificate Training – Virtual!
Nov. 11-13, 2025
Cost: $749
Click Here to Register: HACCP Registration Link
Price: $749. This includes a link to course materials and supporting documentation for students, and a Rutgers certificate of participation with a Gold Seal from the International HACCP Alliance. Although necessary materials are presented online, early registration is encouraged to ensure you have time to print all necessary materials; if needed.
Preventive Controls for Human Foods (PCQI Certificate Training) Version 2.0 – Virtual
Dec. 2-4, 2025
Register HERE: Click here to register for 12/2-12/4/2025
8:30 am-5:00 pm Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
Price: $749
Course Overview
Food safety training is a core capability and competency of the Food Innovation Center at Rutgers University (FIC). With the issuance of new regulations resulting from the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the FIC is one of the first centers in the country to offer training in Preventive Controls for Human Food (PCHF), consistent with the principles of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA). The course includes 20 hours of classroom instruction over two and a half days. Participants in this training will be required to take a test and will earn an official FSPCA certificate for becoming an FDA-recognized “Preventive Controls Qualified Individual” (PCQI) with the credentials for creating an FDA Food Safety Plan with hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls.
About the Food Innovation Center @ Rutgers University
The Food Innovation Center @ Rutgers University (FIC) is a One-Stop Shop for U.S. and International Food and Beverage Businesses looking to accelerate in the U.S. market. A team of food industry veterans offer expertise in Business Development, Marketing, Marketing Research, R&D, Food Safety, Manufacturing and Sales. Our USDA and FDA inspected processing facilities provide over 50,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing, storage, laboratory/office/meeting space and training facilities supporting our ability to Learn – Innovate – Accelerate into the market.
FIC is a Center within the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
Training and Consulting
Research & Development
Manufacturing & Production