Changes

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.

:* '''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.

:* 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.

* Visual inspection of milling process.

:* Visual inspection of milling process.

* Precise measuring of raw material quantities ensuring accuracy versus recipe.

:* Precise measuring of raw material quantities ensuring accuracy versus recipe.

* Carefully controlled cooking temperatures and times.

:* Carefully controlled cooking temperatures and times.

* Regular sampling and testing of finished products.

:* Regular sampling and testing of finished products.

* 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.

* Established microbial testing routine for both finished product and manufacturing facilities.

:* Established microbial testing routine for both finished product and manufacturing facilities.

* Regular checking of packaging integrity, which may include continuous monitoring through cameras.

:* Regular checking of packaging integrity, which may include continuous monitoring through cameras.

* 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.

* 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.