Feed facility managers, operations personnel and mill personnel gathered earlier this week at the American Feed Industry Association’s annual Feed Production Education Program to learn about the latest federal regulations impacting their businesses. The program is held in conjunction with the International Production & Processing Expo, held this week in Atlanta, Ga.
“With all animal food manufacturing facilities, regardless of their size, now required to be in compliance with all parts of the Food Safety Modernization Act animal food rule, facilities need to know what to expect during inspections,” said Gary Huddleston, AFIA’s director of feed manufacturing and regulatory affairs. “The AFIA Feed Education Program goes in depth into the issues that our industry leaders need to be informed on.”
At the half-day education program, attendees learned exactly what records they may need to show during FSMA inspections and what to do before, during and after an inspection. The program also provided attendees with an overview of the latest transportation, environmental, food safety and workplace safety rules and regulations in effect, including any regulatory changes or guidance from the federal regulatory agencies.
In a panel discussion on FSMA inspections, Mike Gauss of Kent Nutrition Group, Inc., stressed the importance of practicing inspections in order to identify areas for improvement. Huddleston also said that inspections can be overwhelming for mill managers and they will be more comfortable if you train and prepare them.
In addition to the educational portion of the program, AFIA announced Koch Farms of Morton, Miss., as the 2019 Feed Facility of the Year award winner. Cosponsored by AFIA and Feedstuffs, this program recognizes overall excellence in feed and ingredient manufacturing operations. Koch Farms earned the industry’s top honor based on the company’s commitment to cleanliness and quality and its robust investments in production efficiency.
IPPE is a collaboration of three shows – the International Feed Expo, International Meat Expo and International Poultry Expo – representing the entire chain of protein production and processing. The annual event is sponsored by AFIA, the North American Meat Institute and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.
