ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, U.S. — As a result of the collaboration between the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and the E.U. Association of Specialty Feed Ingredients and their Mixtures (FEFANA), the two organizations announced on Sept. 7 the first issuance of their FAMI-QS/International Safe Feed/Safe Food (I-SF/SF) certificate.

The I-SF/SF Certification Program is the affiliate program for the FAMI-QS program in the U.S.

The establishment of the FAMI-QS/I-SF/SF Certification Program was designed to help facilitate U.S. exports with European feed and ingredient customers by providing a tool to illustrate compliance with the E.U.’s feed hygiene regulation, Regulation (EC) 183/2005, which requires certification to the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points system.

FAMI-QS is a unique, third-party certification program. More than 600 feed additive and premixture companies participate in the program globally. I-SF/SF combines the requirements of AFIA’s domestic Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification Program with FAMI-QS certification requirements. The program was developed by AFIA in close cooperation with FAMI-QS.

FAMI-QS is one of only three systems officially adopted by E.U. authorities. They recognize FAMI-QS as a suitable system for implementing the ambitious requirements of the feed hygiene regulation.

The first FAMI-QS/I-SF/SF certificate has been issued and granted to Kemin AgriFoods North America’s Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., facility by Eurofins Scientific Inc. (ESI).

Kristi Krafta, Kemin AgriFoods North America vice-president for regulatory affairs, quality assurance and quality control, said, "We think the International Safe Feed/Safe Food program is a critical component to our food safety system at Kemin. It is paramount at Kemin that we deliver a high-quality, safe product to our customers. This is a great program and we will continue to be a part of it."

There are currently other feed and ingredient companies which are proceeding through the certification process in the US.

Joel G. Newman, AFIA president and chief executive officer, said, "AFIA welcomes this important achievement in feed and food safety, which is a result of the shared and coordinated efforts of the EU and US industries."

Manfred Peisker, FAMI-QS president, said, "Our combined efforts make for a truly outstanding international program that will open doors to increased trade and new business opportunities."

As of April 1, ESI is the certifying body for the implementation of the FAMI-QS/I-SF/SF

Certification Program in the U.S. Any interested company can apply for FAMI-QS/I-SF/SF certification by contacting AFIA or visiting

Certified companies under I-SF/SF will have the same worldwide privileges and recognition as a

FAMI-QS certified company. The I-SF/SF program is operating under the FAMI-QS certification rules.

AFIA and FAMI-QS will continue to work in close cooperation on the administration of the FAMI-QS/ISF/

SF Certification Program, an important initiative for ensuring the highest level of feed safety. The alliance between these organizations will facilitate the trade of feed additives and premixtures between these global regions. Both AFIA and FAMI-QS guarantee the integrity and the transparency of this program in the U.S.