Pet Food Processing Sanitary Best Practices
Using sanitary equipment is an important aspect of safe production for pet food processors, just as it is for enterprises that create food for human use. Equipment used in pet food manufacturing should be thoroughly cleaned, sterilised, and maintained to ensure that bacteria do not create a safety issue. Stainless steel is frequently used in equipment built to endure thorough, regular cleaning intervals.
In addition to equipment design, placement must be taken into account. To avoid product buildup and potentially hazardous microorganisms, pet food preparation equipment should be lifted off the floor and kept away from the wall. When constructing hygienic, stainless steel equipment to meet sanitation requirements in processing facilities, pet food firms should bear this in mind.
The weighing scale is an important piece of equipment for both human and pet food producers. Scales are used in food processing operations to acquire crucial weight data and ensure product quality. To guarantee company compliance with FSMA and cGMP safety regulations, pet food makers should pick an easy-to-clean stainless steel scale.
Manufacturers must alter their processing plants to suit these expectations as consumers’ purchasing habits for pet food evolve. To guarantee pet health, pet owners are purchasing smaller, premeasured packets and chilled foods. Because there is a better understanding of pet food ingredients, such as the meat-to-grain ratio and dietary restrictions for pets, producers must convince their clients that their pet’s food is free of cross contamination.
What Is the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)?
Despite the fact that the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was passed in 2011, pet food manufacturers were not required to comply until 2017. Compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) was due to be met in 2016, and pet food, like many consumer-facing businesses, has long been governed by the 1938 Federal Drug and Cosmetic Act. However, traditionally, food production has been relatively self-regulated. However, as people become more conscious of how their food is produced, their attention has shifted to their pets’ diet. Pet food is just as susceptible to harmful microorganisms as human food, therefore the same rugged, yet easy-to-clean equipment is required to achieve consumer satisfaction and industry best practises.
Sanitary Design Standards for Scales
Accessible for inspection, maintenance and cleaning
To guarantee that any impurities present are recognised and eliminated, regular inspection and maintenance is required. Processors should clean equipment with the appropriate amount of time, mechanical action, temperature, and a chemical that may break down fats and proteins.
Made of stainless steel
Stainless steel equipment is easy to clean and does not enable bacteria to grow. Stainless steel is resistant to denting, stress, and abrasion, as well as warping and chemical washdowns. Because stainless steel is corrosion-resistant and has smoothly bonded seams, it passes FDA hygiene regulations.
Hermetically sealed with no niches
Wherever possible, frames and rollers should be removed or permanently sealed. External pieces must be welded to the equipment’s surface rather than drilled. Pits, cracks, and protruding ledges should be avoided on equipment. Continuous welds are required.
Legal for Trade
Legal for Trade scales are essential when products like pet food are sold by weight. Scales recognised as Legal for Trade ensure that products processed and packed in processing factories are precisely weighed, allowing them to be sold by weight.
Added Benefits of Sanitary Equipment
Companies may comply with standards like FSMA and cGMP by using hygienic equipment like a stainless steel washdown scale, which also protects our animal friends and family pets. Cross-contamination risk to humans is also reduced when sanitary equipment rules are followed. Excessive bacteria in raw pet food has the potential to harm people as well as animals. Processors can keep pets, employees, and families safe by introducing sanitary equipment into animal food manufacturing methods.
