The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has reissued its Guidance Document Sixth Edition* under version 6.2 to include key elements related to the Production of Feed. As a result, existing feed safety management schemes can now come forward to GFSI for recognition through its benchmarking process. If the scheme’s requirements are considered to be equivalent to those specified within the GFSI Guidance Document Sixth Edition version 6.2, the scheme will achieve formal recognition by GFSI**.
The GFSI Feed Technical Working Group began its work in August 2011 to define the key elements for the Production of Feed, for incorporation into ‘Part III – Scheme Scope and Key Elements’ of the GFSI Guidance Document Sixth Edition. A global stakeholder consultation was launched in January, providing the Working Groups with additional feedback on these key elements before they submitted their working document to the GFSI Board for approval.
The working document (see full news release for list of companies involved) covered the key elements for the Production of Feed, namely the feed safety management system, good manufacturing practice and HACCP based requirements that shall be in place in a feed scheme’s standard, as well as requirements related to the competency of auditors carrying out feed production audits. The scope of the work undertaken by the Working Group includes all aspects of animal feed safety including the production of pet food.
Production of Feed is the third scope added to tahe GFSI Guidance Document Sixth Edition since January 2011, after the incorporation of Packaging Production and Animal Conversion in August 2011. These scopes are part of the 10 new scopes that will be further included in the GFSI Guidance Document Sixth Edition in order to provide a seamless and harmonised approach to food safety management from farm to fork. GFSI Technical Working Groups will continue developing the remaining scopes as per the mandate given by the GFSI Board of Directors.
Charles Stark, Assistant Professor, Extension Specialist - Feed Milling at North Carolina State University and Chair of the GFSI Feed Working Group commented that “feed production is an integral part of the food supply chain. Experts worldwide recognise that unless feed is produced in a safe way, it can have a devastating impact on public health, the food and feed trade as well as food security. The working group was comprised of numerous industry stakeholders and we believe that what we have achieved is truly representative of the feed industry’s needs today.”
Yves Rey, Chair of the GFSI Board of Directors and Corporate Quality General Manager, Danone added that “ensuring a harmonized total supply chain approach to food safety has been and will remain over the years to come one of GFSI’s top priorities. The GFSI Board has prioritised this sector of the supply chain in recognition of the role that feed safety plays in the production of safe food. Through this working group’s achievements, the feed industry is truly showing its commitment to improving the safety of the food supply chain.”
* GFSI Guidance Document Version 6.2 as well as a tracked changes version in Word are available on www.mygfsi.com by clicking on the ‘Guidance Document’ icon on the homepage.
** Any interested parties should contact gfsinfo@theconsumergoodsforum.com for a GFSI Benchmarking Application Form.
