Line 1: |
Line 1: |
− | While each pet food manufacturer has their own recipes, there are [[Regulation of the Pet Food Industry - Nutrition|'''pet food safety standards and regulations''']] that everyone must comply with. | + | [[File:Controlling pet food manufacturing.png|300px|right|thumb|Safety and quality control during pet food manufacture]] |
| + | While each pet food manufacturer has their own recipes, there are [[How Pet Food is Regulated - Nutrition|'''pet food safety standards and regulations''']] that all manufacturers must comply with. |
| | | |
| Practical advice is also available to help veterinary professionals establish the credentials of a pet food manufacturer. The [http://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files/Recommendations%20on%20Selecting%20Pet%20Foods.pdf World Small Animal Veterinary Association provides a check list] that helps with evaluation of the credentials of a pet food manufacturer and is a useful resource for both veterinary professionals and owners. | | Practical advice is also available to help veterinary professionals establish the credentials of a pet food manufacturer. The [http://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files/Recommendations%20on%20Selecting%20Pet%20Foods.pdf World Small Animal Veterinary Association provides a check list] that helps with evaluation of the credentials of a pet food manufacturer and is a useful resource for both veterinary professionals and owners. |
| + | |
| | | |
| '''A responsible pet food manufacturer will take safety and quality very seriously''' and will have their own defined processes and standards that help ensure the safety and quality of their [[Common Ingredients Used In Pet Food|ingredients]] and products. | | '''A responsible pet food manufacturer will take safety and quality very seriously''' and will have their own defined processes and standards that help ensure the safety and quality of their [[Common Ingredients Used In Pet Food|ingredients]] and products. |
Line 7: |
Line 9: |
| 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: |
| | | |
− | * 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”. |
| + | |
| + | :* '''Defined specifications for raw materials''' and regular inspection and testing against these – may also require a certificate of analysis from the supplier. |
| + | |
| + | :* 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. |
| | | |
− | * Defined specifications for raw materials and regular inspection and testing against these – may also require a certificate of analysis from the supplier. | + | :* Visual inspection of milling process. |
| | | |
− | * 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. | + | :* Precise measuring of raw material quantities ensuring accuracy versus recipe. |
| | | |
− | * Visual inspection of milling process. | + | :* Carefully controlled cooking temperatures and times. |
| | | |
− | * Precise measuring of raw material quantities ensuring accuracy versus recipe. | + | :* Regular sampling and testing of finished products. |
| | | |
− | * Carefully controlled cooking temperatures and times. | + | :* Recording of recipe ingredients through batch records, and of finished product pallets and their destinations to ensure traceability. |
| | | |
− | * Regular sampling and testing of finished products. | + | :* Established microbial testing routine for both finished product and manufacturing facilities. |
| | | |
− | * Recording of recipe ingredients through batch records, and of finished product pallets and their destinations to ensure traceability. | + | :* Regular checking of packaging integrity, which may include continuous monitoring through cameras. |
| | | |
− | * Established microbial testing routine for both finished product and manufacturing facilities. | + | :* Metal detectors and even x-ray machines to locate foreign bodies within finished product. |
| | | |
− | * Regular checking of packaging integrity, which may include continuous monitoring through cameras. | + | :* 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. |
| | | |
− | * Metal detectors and even x-ray machines to locate foreign bodies within finished product.
| |
| | | |
− | * 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.
| |
| | | |
| A responsible pet food manufacturer may also choose to implement external audits and voluntary certifications such as ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14000 through an [http://www.iso.org/iso/home.htm external accreditation institute]. | | A responsible pet food manufacturer may also choose to implement external audits and voluntary certifications such as ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14000 through an [http://www.iso.org/iso/home.htm external accreditation institute]. |
Line 35: |
Line 39: |
| A pet food company can obtain information and guidance about appropriate auditing and certifications from a selection of organisations including: | | A pet food company can obtain information and guidance about appropriate auditing and certifications from a selection of organisations including: |
| | | |
− | <font color ="red">*GHP (Good Hygiene Practice) - provide link to website</font>
| + | :*GHP (Good Hygiene Practice) |
| + | |
| + | :*HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) |
| + | |
| + | :*[http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/en/ Codex Alimentarius] |
| + | |
| + | |
| | | |
− | *HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points)
| + | More information about the safety and quality standards that apply to a particular product can be obtained by contacting the [[EU Pet Food Labels#Mandatory Labelling Requirements|specific pet food manufacturer]]. |
| | | |
− | *[http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/en/ Codex Alimentarius]
| |
| | | |
− | For more information about the safety and quality standards that apply to a particular product please contact the pet food manufacturer.
| |
| | | |
| + | {{Reviewed Nutrition 2 |
| + | |author = [[Abi Stevenson|Dr Abi Stevenson]] |
| + | |editor1 = [http://regulatorydiscretion.com/Page_3.html Dr David A. Dzanis] |
| + | |editor2 = [[Sarah Abood|Dr Sarah K. Abood]] |
| + | |date = April 2017 |
| + | }} |
| + | {{Mars Petcare}} |
| + | {{OpenPages}} |
| | | |
| [[Category:Pet Food Manufacture]] | | [[Category:Pet Food Manufacture]] |
| [[Category:To Do - Nutrition]] | | [[Category:To Do - Nutrition]] |