Quality Assurance Programs In Feed Manufactuing

摘要

FEED manufacturers should evaluate their current quality program and determine what revisions may be necessary to address the anticipated changes in the U.S. feed regulations over the next year. The proposed rules for the Food Safety Modernization Act(FSMA) are expected to be released toward the end of 2013. These new rules will create a shift in how federal regulators approach the feed manufacturing process. The aim of FSMA is to ensure that the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus of federal regulators from responding to contamination to preventing it (Food & Drug Administration, 201 la).The new regulations will focus on ensuring a safe food supply through hazard analysis and preventative control measures. The regulations are expected to be based on hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) principles. Although the final rules may not be in place for several months, feed mills should begin reviewing their current quality programs. The new regulations state: "The owner, operator or agent in charge of a facility shall, in accordance with this section, evaluate the hazards that could affect food manufactured, processed, packed or held by such facility, identify and implement preventive controls to significantly minimize or prevent the occurrence of such hazards and provide assurances that such food is not adulterated under section 402 or misbranded under section 403(w), monitor the performance of those controls, and maintain records of this monitoring as a matter of routine practice" (FDA, 2011b).