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L   ife is a never-ending learning process, especially in the   workplace. A great opportunity to expose rendering industry workers to more information is by attending educational meetings, such as the two-day Poultry Protein and Fat Seminar held in early October in Nashville, TN. Tyson Foods alone sent over 15 plant operators and managers to learn about Salmonella, industry research, pet food requirements, rendering plant best practices, and worker safety. Leah Wilkinson, American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), got the meeting started by discussing the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) proposed animal feed rules that were due to be released (and were released in late October; see “Long-awaited Feed Safety Rules Released” on page 8 of this issue of Render). Signed into law in 2011, FSMA regulations have been slow to emerge due to the potential high costs to industry. Proposed food laws were released earlier this year and are currently being commented on. Wilkinson said the new feed rules will be patterned after hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) programs, establish good manufacturing practices (biggest change for feed manufacturers), and will apply to all feed-related facilities unless designated a farm, which means complete control over all animals. Wilkinson shared that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that 2,000 fewer facilities re-registered under FSMA in 2012 than originally registered in 2003 under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act. AFIA has five working groups involved in regulations, guidance, and comments and will host a webinar about three weeks after the FSMA proposed feed rules are published. Wilkinson expects final rules, which don’t vary too much from proposed rules, to be released in 2014 with enforcement to begin in 2015. Technically, the FSMA law is in effect, but since no regulations are in place, FDA is delaying enforcement. However, Wilkinson warned that inspectors in some states are trying to enforce the law, so be prepared. Wilkinson next addressed biotech food labeling activity that often includes feed due to FDA’s definition of food. A new Connecticut biotech law, which won’t go into effect until surrounding states pass similar laws, clearly defines food as “human food,” yet didn’t cover “natural” foods so the law could be applied to pet foods. AFIA has an agreement with the state that the law won’t be enforced for pet food and will work with the legislature to correct the wording once back in session. Dr. Charles Starkey, American Proteins, Inc. proclaimed that, “We all have a role in food safety, whether you are in quality assurance, accounting, or operations.” He pointed out that one of the biggest issues in rendering is Salmonella. The recently released FDA compliance policy guide for Salmonella in feed removes the premise that all Salmonella are bad and states that animal feed ingredients with any Salmonella are no longer considered adulterated. Poultry Renderers Take Education Seriously By Tina Caparella An entertaining Ken Futch encourages renderers to communicate with a changing workforce. Rendering plant employees absorb the educational presentations. From left, second row, are Sharon Johnson, Shelley Turner, and Keith Yovonavich (first row), all from Tyson Foods, and Todd Horn, Simmons Foods, Inc. 16  December 2013  Render Render www.rendermagazine.com


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