MANHATTAN, KANSAS, U.S. — Forty-three industry professionals attended a feed course focused on understanding safety regulations and necessary compliances within animal food safety requirements set by the U.S. Food Drug Administration (FDA).

The NGFA-KSU Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) course allowed participants to see a complete walk-through for the steps in creating a business safety plan.

The course was hosted by the Kansas State University (KSU) IGP Institute on Jan. 29-31.

“This was a diverse group of people representing facilities that make pet food, livestock feed and various ingredients,” said Cassandra Jones, course instructor and KSU associate professor of animal sciences and industry. “It was valuable to have such a diverse group so we can understand the requirements and flexibility of the Preventative Controls for Animal Food Rule.”

The course offered additional components to allow two certificates upon completion — one from the Food Safety Preventative Controls Alliance (FSPCA) and the other from the International Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Alliance. In order to receive course completion each participant had to fully demonstrate the requirements by a “preventative controls qualified individual” per the FDA’s regulation. The course curriculum was developed by the FSPCA.