Web-based training VITAL Online English

Action limits or thresholds play an important role in managing allergen risks. At what level does cross-contact pose a risk to an allergic consumer? What are the conditions to apply a warning on a label ('may contain' also called precautionary allergen labelling (PAL))?

Based on scientific information, so-called reference doses have been established. These safe limits are used in risk assessment of allergens. The same reference doses are used in the Netherlands, VITAL 4.0 and several other European countries. In addition, retailers request a quantitative risk calculation from their private label suppliers before cross-contamination with allergens is mentioned on the label. This often requires a specific format.

Calculation tool

This training course uses the Allergen Bureau's VITAL Online tool . This format is accepted by all Dutch retailers. It can be uploaded to TraceOne (AH) or SIM (e.g. Jumbo, SuperUnie). A trial account will be created for you for the training. This will give you access to VITAL Online within the training environment for four weeks. After that, you can obtain permanent access by subscribing to VITAL Online yourself; see  pricing and options.

Would you rather use our Allergen Risk Calculator (ARC) tool? That is also possible! Then follow the training course in which the ARC is used as the main tool.

Who should attend?

This training is designed for quality managers, QA-managers, product specification managers, auditors at certifying bodies, consultants, Regulatory Affairs Managers and R&D. In short, anyone who has to deal with food safety and labelling.

Learning objective and topics

During this training, you will learn how to perform a quantitative allergen risk assessment by means of cases and practical examples.
Calculations will be performed using VITAL Online. VITAL Online can be used for upload in TraceOne (AH) or SIM (Jumbo, SuperUnie). After the course you will be able to perform a quantitative risk assessment in VITAL Online.

During the course the following topics are covered: 

• Background information allergen management (short repetition).
• Legislation on labelling and thresholds, explanation of Dutch allergen policy.
• Allergen risk assessment based on a handy step-by-step guide.
• Application of reference dose of VWS (Netherlands), FAVV (Belgium), VITAL and FAO/WHO.
• Use of the VITAL Online tool during the training.
• Application of allergen analyses within quantitative risk assessments.

Web-based training

Our web-based training is possible from any computer or laptop (see system requirements below). The training is provided in MS Teams.
The training takes place in small groups and is not pre-recorded (no webinar). In this way we guarantee interactivity, both between the trainer and the student, but also between the participants themselves. 
Within the digital training environment, we can share screens with each other or in subgroups so that we are able to look along with the calculations performed. This is also possible in a private mode without the entire group listening in or watching. 

Trainer

Marjan van Ravenhorst - endorsed VITAL trainer
Bregje Kroeze-Krebbers - endorsed VITAL trainer
Angèle van den Heuvel - endorsed VITAL trainer
Sandra Boone - endorsed VITAL trainer

Practical

Time: from 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM CET/ CEST
Language: English. A good understanding of the English language is required when attending the training. If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with us. 

Our course fees include course material, use of VITAL Online tool during the training and a lot of reference information, excluding VAT.

After receiving the registration we will send a confirmation by email. This training is given via Microsoft Teams. The invitation for this will be sent by email a few days before the training.

System requirements

It is important that the computer has a camera, microphone and MS Teams. VITAL Online can be accessed bt a browser.