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− | 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. |
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| 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. |
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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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| 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: |
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− | <font color ="red">*GHP (Good Hygiene Practice) - provide link to website</font>
| + | :*GHP (Good Hygiene Practice) |
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− | *HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) | + | :*HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) |
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− | *[http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/en/ Codex Alimentarius] | + | :*[http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/en/ Codex Alimentarius] |
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− | For more information about the safety and quality standards that apply to a particular product please contact the pet food manufacturer.
| + | 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]]. |
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| |date = April 2017 | | |date = April 2017 |
| }} | | }} |
| + | {{Mars Petcare}} |
| + | {{OpenPages}} |
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| [[Category:Pet Food Manufacture]] | | [[Category:Pet Food Manufacture]] |
| [[Category:To Do - Nutrition]] | | [[Category:To Do - Nutrition]] |