New Guidance on FSMA Preventative Controls for Animal Food

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published the initial five chapters of new draft guidance to assist animal food facilities in compliance with the Preventative Controls for Animal Food rule, the federal agency announced in a press release Monday.

“Guidance for Industry #245: Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventative Controls for Food for Animals” covers food safety plan requirements, recommendations for carrying out a hazard analysis, provides an overview of hazards encountered in the manufacturing, processing, packing, and holding of animal food, and outlines preventative control management component. The document also provides examples of preventative controls to minimize or prevent animal food hazards.

Though most large animal food firms were required to comply with the law by Sept. 17, 2017, small businesses subject to the rule have until Sept. 17, 2018 to comply and very small businesses have a deadline of Sept. 17, 2019.

In 2017, the FDA said that it plans to delay routine inspections of large animal food businesses until the fall 2018 “to allow the animal food industry more time to focus on development of their food safety plans and to consider information in the draft guidance,” the release stated.

A 180-day public comment period on the draft guidance is scheduled for Jan. 23 through July 23, 2018.

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