Facility Certification Program Announced for United States Pet Food Sector
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) recently announced a third-party facility certification program designed for the manufacture of pet food and pet food ingredients.
Developed by AFIA’s pet food and quality committees with additional input gained from third-party food safety experts, the Pet Food Manufacturing Certification Program (PFMFCP and the Pet Food Ingredient Facility Certification Program (PFIFCP) designed this program.
Joel G. Newman, AFIA President and CEO reported, “AFIA sees this as a model program for the entire pet food industry. I commend the pet food committee for developing this program to help ‘raise the bar’ for their own industry.”
The two programs build on the AFIA’s domestic Safe Feed/Safe Food program. The Safe Feed/Safe Food certification program is the world’s largest organization devoted to representing the business, legislative, and regulatory interests of those in the livestock feed and pet food industries.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognition is sought by AFIA and is also encouraging the FDA may use the programs in their risk assessment of the industry for inspection priorities.
The AFIA in 2004 first launched the third-party feed facility certification program. In 2012 the International Safe Feed/Safe Food program was added so that companies had this tool to meet EU requirements, according to Newman. With the addition of the Pet Food Facility program the pet food industry can be involved.
Third-party certification programming news and further information may be obtained at www.safefeedsafefood.org.
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