European and US’ feed safety programs unite
As a result of the strong collaboration between the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and the European Association of Specialty Feed Ingredients and their Mixtures (Fefana), the first issuance of their FAMI-QS/International Safe Feed/Safe Food (I-SF/SF) certificate is now a fact.
The I-SF/SF Certification Program is the affiliate program for the FAMI-QS program in the United States.
The establishment of the combined Certification Program was designed to help facilitate US exports with European feed and ingredient customers by providing a tool to illustrate compliance with the EU’s feed hygiene regulation, Regulation (EC) 183/2005, which requires certification to the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points system.
FAMI-QS is a unique, third-party certification program. More than 600 feed additive and premix companies participate in the program globally.
I-SF/SF combines the requirements of AFIA’s domestic Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification Program with FAMI-QS certification requirements. The program was developed by AFIA in close cooperation with FAMI-QS.
FAMI-QS is one of only three systems officially adopted by EU authorities. They recognize FAMI-QS as a suitable system for implementing the ambitious requirements of the feed hygiene regulation.
Kemin first to be certificated
The first FAMI-QS/I-SF/SF certificate has been issued and granted to Kemin AgriFoods North America’s Des Moines, Iowa, USA facility by Eurofins Scientific Inc. (ESI).
Kristi Krafta, Kemin AgriFoods North America vice president for regulatory affairs, quality assurance and quality control, said, “We think the International Safe Feed/Safe Food program is a critical component to our food safety system at Kemin. It is paramount at Kemin that we deliver a high-quality, safe product to our customers. This is a great program and we will continue to be a part of it.”
There are currently other feed and ingredient companies which are proceeding through the certification process in the US.
Certification body
As of April 1, 2010, ESI is the certifying body for the implementation of the FAMI-QS/I-SF/SF Certification Program in the US.
As of April 1, 2010, ESI is the certifying body for the implementation of the FAMI-QS/I-SF/SF Certification Program in the US.
Any interested US company can apply for FAMI-QS/I-SF/SF certification by contacting AFIA or visiting www.safefeedsafefood.org.
Certified companies under I-SF/SF will have the same worldwide privileges and recognition as a FAMI-QS certified company. The I-SF/SF program is operating under the FAMI-QS certification rules.
