ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US — Gary Huddleston, director of feed manufacturing and regulatory affairs for the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), has been named as one of the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance’s (FSPCA) top 10 instructors in the country for Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) training for animal food.

Huddleston was honored during the FSPCA’s annual conference this week in Burr Ridge, Illinois, US, which recognized him for the number of participants trained and FSPCA Preventive Controls for Animal Food certificates issued between Aug. 15, 2022, and Aug. 15, 2023.

The PCQI training program is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to develop and implement animal food safety plans in compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations. The AFIA hosts PCQI training annually and upon request with members looking to customize their training, focusing on the requirements and considerations of animal food manufacturers. 

“I always tell our members that PCQI training is the best way for their employees to learn how they can help their facility comply with the FSMA animal food regulations and prepare for inspections,” Huddleston said. “By having employees properly trained, it ensures the safety of their animal food products and plays a vital role in protecting the health of consumers, while building multiple layers of defense against potential hazards.”

Leah Wilkinson, vice president of public policy and education for the AFIA, said, “This award signifies AFIA’s deep commitment in ensuring the safety of the animal food supply and Gary’s excellent ability to share his knowledge and experience with manufacturers so they can create and manage robust animal food safety plans. This is crucial in today’s world where animal food safety is paramount, and regulations impacting feed and pet food manufacturers are constantly evolving. We congratulate Gary for his dedication and a job well done.” 

The AFIA encourages facility quality and regulatory employees and any other manufacturing employees seeking to understand more about FSMA animal food rules to complete this course.