Posted October 29, 2013
 
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released a proposed rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) dealing with safety for animal feed and pet food, according to an Agri-Pulse article available here.  The proposed rule is available here.
 
The rule would establish new Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) guidelines for animal feed and pet food producers, and hazard analysis and preventative control requirements similar to the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system for the juice and seafood industries.
 
The rule will also include requirements for paperwork, contingency plans in the event of a recall, cross-contamination and other foreseeable emergencies.
 
Some on-farm operations would be exempt from the proposed guidelines.  After a draft risk assessment in February, available here, FDA determined that some on-farm operations present little threat to animal or human health.
 
FDA estimates that compliance will cost the industry $128 million per year. 
 
Randy Gordon, President of the National Grain and Feed Association, said he is “eager to work with FDA.”

 

For more information on food safety, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
 
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