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| These should start with reliable suppliers and cover the whole process through to feeding the cat or dog and are likely to include: | | These should start with reliable suppliers and cover the whole process through to feeding the cat or dog and are likely to include: |
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− | * '''Selection of reliable suppliers''' - companies that supply ingredients are regularly inspected by responsible pet food manufacturers to gain “supplier approval”. | + | :* '''Selection of reliable suppliers''' - companies that supply ingredients are regularly inspected by responsible pet food manufacturers to gain “supplier approval”. |
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− | * '''Defined specifications for raw materials''' and regular inspection and testing against these – may also require a certificate of analysis from the supplier. | + | :* '''Defined specifications for raw materials''' and regular inspection and testing against these – may also require a certificate of analysis from the supplier. |
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− | * A '''clearly defined specification for the product''' that includes nutritional profile, colour, texture, digestibility and palatability and technical parameters such as moisture content. Routine testing of product against specifications. | + | :* A '''clearly defined specification for the product''' that includes nutritional profile, colour, texture, digestibility and palatability and technical parameters such as moisture content. Routine testing of product against specifications. |
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− | * Visual inspection of milling process. | + | :* Visual inspection of milling process. |
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− | * Precise measuring of raw material quantities ensuring accuracy versus recipe. | + | :* Precise measuring of raw material quantities ensuring accuracy versus recipe. |
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− | * Carefully controlled cooking temperatures and times. | + | :* Carefully controlled cooking temperatures and times. |
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− | * Regular sampling and testing of finished products. | + | :* Regular sampling and testing of finished products. |
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− | * Recording of recipe ingredients through batch records, and of finished product pallets and their destinations to ensure traceability. | + | :* Recording of recipe ingredients through batch records, and of finished product pallets and their destinations to ensure traceability. |
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− | * Established microbial testing routine for both finished product and manufacturing facilities. | + | :* Established microbial testing routine for both finished product and manufacturing facilities. |
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− | * Regular checking of packaging integrity, which may include continuous monitoring through cameras. | + | :* Regular checking of packaging integrity, which may include continuous monitoring through cameras. |
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− | * Metal detectors and even x-ray machines to locate foreign bodies within finished product. | + | :* Metal detectors and even x-ray machines to locate foreign bodies within finished product. |
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− | * Verification of nutritional adequacy via chemical analysis of raw materials and / or finished products and / or feeding studies using approved [[USA Pet Food Labels|Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)]] protocols. | + | :* Verification of nutritional adequacy via chemical analysis of raw materials and / or finished products and / or feeding studies using approved [[USA Pet Food Labels|Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)]] protocols. |
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