United Fresh Produce Association (United Fresh) announced today that it will hold its Training for a Recall, Communicating Under Fire course in four locations in 2009: Salinas, Calif.; San Antonio, Texas; and West Palm Beach, Fla.  The course is especially designed for the produce industry to help companies prepare for and defend against the havoc that a product recall can wreak on a business.  

Training for a Recall, Communicating Under Fire is a multi-part course, including a two-day workshop on how to prevent a product recall from becoming a crisis and optional media training.  The first part of the course emphasizes the legal liability and business implications of a recall, the importance of traceability, and how to apply a crisis plan to product recall situations.  Attendees receive a Certificate of Competition at the end of the two-day course.

A separate media course includes training by communications and public affairs specialists on how to deliver messages under the pressure of a real-life interview. To ensure each attendee will have an opportunity to experience on-camera mock media interviews, the class size for the half-day media training is limited and requires a separate registration. 

"A recall can happen for any number of reasons from mislabeling to more serious reasons," said Amy Philpott, United Fresh vice president of communications. "No matter the severity of the recall, a company can minimize the damage to its reputation and its future if it is prepared and informed, which is exactly what this course helps a company do."

Registration for the two-day product recall training/crisis management workshop includes a continental breakfast, two lunches and program materials. The media portion of the course requires a separate registration.  For additional registration and housing information, including group discounts, contact United Fresh Education Manager Julie Jacocks at 202-303-3400 ext. 405.