The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) completed a yearlong update to its Safe Feed/Safe Food certification program, adding a new category for warehouse, storage and distribution facilities beginning this summer.
The expansion allows facilities that handle the warehousing, storage and distribution of animal food and ingredients to pursue certification for the first time. More than 1,000 facilities holding at least one SF/SF certification can now refer to Version 8.0 of the program, which incorporates feedback from industry stakeholders and reflects current industry practices.
“The Safe Feed/Safe Food program has grown immensely over the last several years,” said Megan Provost, AFIA’s chief operating officer. “More facilities are seeking certification because it demonstrates a commitment to feed safety, quality and continuous improvement.”
Provost noted that SF/SF certification shows facilities operate at the highest level of excellence for feed production, storage and transport safety and quality, which matters for the industry supporting America’s animal protein intake.
The SF/SF program, launched in 2004, is a voluntary, third-party certified program designed to improve feed safety and quality beyond regulatory requirements. As the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and state feed control officials manage inspection programs with fewer resources, third-party certification programs like SF/SF can help build confidence in compliance.
The new warehouse certification responds to industry demand. No previous SF/SF category specifically addressed the unique requirements of companies holding ingredients in warehouses or moving them through distribution operations.
