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People, Places, and... AFIA, SQFI Partner on Certification Programs Starting in October, the administration of the American Feed Industry Association’s (AFIA’s) Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification Program, Pet Food Manufacturing Facility Certification Program, and Pet Food Ingredient Facility Certification Program will be handled by the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI). With the passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act by the United States Congress, and the growing global recognition of third-party certification programs by the food industry via the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), AFIA moved forward on a joint agreement with SQFI to bring these three AFIA third-party certification programs under the institute. SQFI is recognized by retailers and foodservice providers around the world who require a rigorous, credible food safety management system. The agreement brings a number of benefits to program participants, including open access to multiple, approved certification bodies for audits; independent creditability criteria required by consumers and regulators globally; and use of SQFI’s certification program to help reduce multi-program inconsistencies and associated costs of multiple audits. The SQFI program is recognized by GFSI. AFIA will continue to provide technical support and expertise to the three certification programs as well as training, marketing, and promotion for the programs. AMI President to Step Down After 24 Years American Meat Institute (AMI) President and Chief Executive Officer J. Patrick Boyle will step down at the end of 2013 after 24 years of service to the meat and poultry industry. He is the longest serving president in AMI’s 107-year history. A successor had not yet been named as of mid-September. Boyle joined AMI in 1990 after serving as administrator of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Agricultural Marketing Service. Before that, he worked as an attorney at several food trade associations and as agricultural legislative assistant to former Senator Pete Wilson (R-CA). “It has been an honor and a privilege to lead this great industry for more than two decades,” Boyle said. “With the organization in a sound position to meet the challenges of the future and given the many accomplishments of the last two decades, this year seemed like an appropriate time for me to move onto another phase of my professional life.”  “Under Patrick’s 24 years of leadership, AMI has been an influential voice for the meat and poultry industry successfully addressing numerous public policy challenges,” commented AMI Chairman Nick Meriggioli, executive vice president of Kraft Foods Group and president of Oscar Mayer. “He has led AMI’s efforts that have enhanced the safety of our products, the protection of our workers, the welfare of our animals, and the preservation of our environment.” During Boyle’s tenure, AMI formally petitioned USDA to require nutrition labels on meat and poultry products and to promulgate a regulation requiring that meat and poultry plants implement hazard analysis and critical control point-based food safety controls. USDA subsequently issued final regulations on both proposals. During the 1990s, Boyle and his team were the early adopters of the animal welfare approach of Temple Grandin, professor of animal science at Colorado State University. AMI first partnered with Grandin in 1991 on its Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines for the Meat Industry and later on an animal welfare audit program that has become the global standard around the world and is a condition of doing business with many leading foodservice and retail customers. Mahoney Appoints New President Mahoney Environmental, Joliet, IL, has named Rick Sabol as president of the company. He will be responsible for all operations, sales, and administration for Mahoney Environmental. “Rick is a consummate and considerate leader,” said John Mahoney, chief executive officer of the company. “He understands our values, mission, and goals. He is the first nonfamily member to lead our business in 60 years. He has my full support.” H.J. Baker Facilities Certified All of the H.J. Baker & Bro., Inc. North American poultry and dairy feed additive manufacturing facilities have now earned the Safe Feed/Safe Food certification, a voluntary, thirdparty certified initiative designed for feed mills and feed ingredientrelated facilities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Administered by the American Feed Industry Association, the program establishes comprehensive standards of excellence that go beyond existing regulations to maximize food and feed safety. “H.J. Baker has a long tradition of providing our customers with top quality products and outstanding customer service,” stated Christopher V. B. Smith, president and chief executive officer of H.J. Baker & Bro. “With the Safe Feed/Safe Food certification, our customers know that we exceed Food and Drug Administration guidelines and have a rigorous program in place to ensure the safe manufacturing and delivery of our feed products.” H.J. Baker facilities certified include Sanford, NC; Albertville, AL; Forest, MS; Fort Smith, AR; Trawick, TX; and Westville, OK. The company is headquartered in Westport, CT, and has more than 20 locations throughout the United States and internationally. 36  October 2013  Render www.rendermagazine.com


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