The latest proposed rule issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is meant to improve the safety of animal food. Under the regulation, facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold animal feed and pet food would be required to develop and implement a formal plan for identifying and preventing potential hazards, as well as establishing plans for correcting problems. The rule would also require facilities to follow current good manufacturing practices (CGMP) that promote conditions and practices that protect against contamination. Human food facilities have been held to such guidelines for years, but this is the first regulation specifically applying them to animal food facilities. While the preventive controls for animal food resemble the processes set out in FDA’s proposed rule on human food, they address a different set of hazards, extending beyond pathogens to chemicals such as mycotoxins. “This proposed rule on animal food complements proposed rules published in January 2013 for produce safety and facilities that manufacture food for humans to set modern, prevention-based standards for food safety,” said Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Michael Taylor in an FDA statement Friday. “They also work in concert with standards proposed in July 2013 to help ensure that imported foods are as safe as those produced domestically.” The Proposed Rule for Preventive Controls for Animal Food Facilities will be published next week, followed by 120 days for public comment. FDA will also hold three public meetings on the rule in November and December.
The News Desk team at Food Safety News covers breaking developments, regulatory updates, recalls, and key topics shaping food safety today. These articles are produced collaboratively by our editorial staff.
An assessment of black pepper controls in Brazil has revealed the Salmonella contamination rate has improved but raised questions about a lack of checks at primary production level.
The September
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Most violations concerned the failure to list
Food businesses have limited awareness of Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and its guidance, according to a review.
The food agency commissioned research institute The Lines Between to study the awareness,
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reporting that Ayco Farms Inc., recalled 8,302 cartons of whole cantaloupes because the fruit may be contaminated with Salmonella.
The cantaloupes
As part of its enforcement activities, the Food and Drug Administration sends warning letters to entities under its jurisdiction. Some letters are not posted for public view until weeks or
