policy issues

Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification Program

Excelling at every aspect of feed production is “our responsibility, our promise” to regulators and our customers. More than a decade ago, AFIA sought to develop a program that would establish and promote generally accepted food safety guidelines that ensure the continuous improvement in the delivery of a safe and wholesome feed supply for the growth and care of animals, both domestically and internationally.

In 2004, AFIA launched the Safe Feed/Safe Food (SF/SF) Certification Program to establish comprehensive standards of excellence that go beyond existing regulations to maximize food and feed safety. It is a voluntary, independently certified program designed for both AFIA members and non-members. Communicating food safety risks to the industry, building consensus among the segments of the industry, continuing the education process and enhancing consumer confidence in the feed and food supply are all important aspects of the SF/SF program.

In 2014, the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) began administering the program.

Facilities can receive the following four certifications:

  • FSC36 for the standard Safe Feed/Safe Food program – the basic code helps facilities become mostly compliant with the Food Safety Modernization Act’s animal food rule.
  • FSC32 for pet food and pet food ingredients. This program is benchmarked with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), meaning it meets the internationally accepted standards for food safety within the food retail industry.
  • FSC34 for the manufacture of animal feeds, which is also benchmarked with GFSI.
  • International Safe Feed/Safe Food. Launched in 2010, this program was created in partnership with FAMI-QS and is made available in cooperation with the European Feed Additives and Premixtures Association.  It conforms to EU regulations for hazard analysis and critical control points, or HACCP.

There are no other pet food/ingredients or feed programs that are benchmarked in the world.

For more information on the SF/SF certifications or to apply, visit the SF/SF website. Or contact Shakera Daley, AFIA's Office and Certifications Manager, at (703) 650-0146.