This winter, the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) will offer two Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) hazard analysis training sessions. The first training date is December 6-7, at the Westin Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. Registration is open on AFIA's website.

The session is ideal for those working to develop a facility's hazard analysis (i.e. preventive controls qualified individuals and employees serving in quality assurance/quality control positions) and is limited to 150 AFIA member participants.

FSMA hazard analysis

AFIA's foundation, the Institute for Feed Education & Research contracted with the University of Minnesota's Center for Food Safety and Animal Health to prepare a generic hazard analysis as required by FSMA's animal food final rule. The seminar will highlight that report and provide processes for determining what applies to feed facilities, including feed mills, pet food plants and ingredient manufacturing, and distribution sites.

"FSMA requires individual facilities to develop an Animal Food Safety Plan that begins with a hazard analysis of that specific plant," said Richard Sellers, AFIA senior vice president of public policy and education, in a press release. The plan must also show the severity and probability of such hazards occurring within that plant's products and what they'll do to mitigate those risks.

"Our ultimate goal is for participants to leave the training fully understanding these requirements and have the ability to incorporate a hazard analysis in to their Animal Food Safety Plans," he said.

An additional hazard analysis training will be held at the International Production and Processing Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, February 2-3, 2017.