AFIA Webcasts on Controlling, Managing Salmonella -  March 23, 2010 and April 23, 2010  

As of mid-February, members of the American Feed Industry Association’s Pet Food Committee are finalizing written guidance on options for controlling Salmonella, which is considered an adulterant when found in pet foods. Discoveries of Salmonella in finished pet food can lead to product recalls.

Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine has an ongoing Salmonella surveillance program to identify the presence of this bacteria in feed and ingredients, as well as in pet food. This effort, along with potential enactment of legislation this year concerning food and feed safety, means this topic is receiving greater attention from the feed industry.

The Pet Food Committee has been working to develop tools to help the industry reduce the likelihood of Salmonella in finished pet foods. The efforts have been ongoing for more than a year. Numerous ideas, options and considerations for Salmonella control have been explored.

In January 2010 at the Pet Food Conference, Drs. Dan McChesney of FDA’s CVM and Frank Jones, professor emeritus of the University of Arkansas, discussed FDA’s sampling plan and results, recalls and options for controlling Salmonella. The webcasts are designed to build on that knowledge and further the efforts of the Pet Food Committee in reducing the likelihood of Salmonella.

Please mark the following webcasts on your calendars:

Controlling Salmonella in Your Facility
March 23, 2010, 2 to 4:30 p.m. EDT

Speakers: Dr. Frank Jones, professor emeritus of the University of Arkansas, and Jarrod Kersey, AFIA Pet Food Committee liaison.

This webcast will review general guidance on reducing incidences of Salmonella in your facility. Pet food, feed and ingredient manufacturers will benefit from the materials assembled by the committee. Expect a review of the practical steps that may be taken—from receiving to finished products—and time to ask questions.

Management Considerations for Salmonella/Microbial Control
April 22, 2010, 2 to 4:30 p.m. EDT

Speakers: A representative of FDA’s CVM, who will only be on for the first portion of the webcast; Richard Sellers, AFIA vice president of feed regulation and nutrition; and Jarrod Kersey, AFIA Pet Food Committee liaison.

This webcast will focus on management considerations for Salmonella-control policies. Pet food, feed and ingredient manufacturers will benefit from the materials assembled by the committee. Expect a review of the considerations a manager must take into account in determining Salmonella-control policies. Examples include the CVM’s Salmonella/microbial policies, the Reportable Food Registry, sampling and testing, supplier contracts and matters related to potential recalls. Expect time to ask questions too.

More details may be found here. Misc/Sallmonela 2010 Flier.pdf Online and PDF registration is now available for both webcasts at www.afia.org. Also, for questions related to this topic and content, contact Jarrod Kersey at jkersey@afia.org; questions related to the availability of the webcasts, contact Veronica Pedrotty at vpedrotty@afia.org.
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