Manufacture Pet Food?

For many years, our trusted companions have eaten what we gave them; whether animal kibble in a bowl, leftovers on the floor, or accidental from the trash can (oops). In the past, pet food ingredients weren’t regulated to the same standard as human food. Times have changed, and now, our truest best friends are getting food made healthier by what is deemed as trustworthy companies.

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) requires that all animal foods, like human foods, be safe for consumption, contain no harmful materials, held, produced, or packed under sanitary conditions and be labeled correctly.

As of September 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) passed the final rule on FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Preventive Controls for Animal Food. By September 2018 all animal food processing facilities had to be compliant with FSMA.

Q: What does compliant with FSMA Preventative Controls for Animal Food mean?

A:  To name a few key elements:

• Food safety plan implemented, to include:
  • Analysis of hazards to determine risk-based controls
  • Analysis of hazards to determine preventative based controls
  • Supplier Approval
  • Good manufacturing practices for food for animals
• Prevention of cross-contamination
• Registering the facility as a food facility if processing, packing, or holding of animal food for consumption in the United States
• Training
• Record keeping
• Maintaining plants and grounds

In this day and age, animals are being treated and cared for as part of the family. For many years, pet food has flown under the radar in the eyes of the FDA. Now, pet food facilities are being inspected and held responsible for the products they produce, hold, or pack. The FDA has made great strides in the past several years keeping our fury friends’ food as safe as ours. Regulations are consistently changing, are you compliant?

Article Written By:

Stacy Medeiros

Food Safety Consultant
profishant, inc.