The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is a set of rules proposed by the FDA intended to prevent foodborne illness in the US food source. Its focus is to implement a proactive approach to food safety using "science based preventative controls" instead of reacting to problems as they occur. The FSMA will include inspections by the FDA to ensure that facilities are in compliance. The FDA will be reviewing any ingredients that end up in animal feed to ensure that those ingredients are approved for use in that feed. In many biofuel facilities, the additives used to treat the boilers and cooling tower water may end up in the Distillers Dry Grain (DDG) which can be used for animal feed. Facilities will be required to follow new Good Manufacturing Processes in the manufacturing, processing and packaging of that animal feed. A food safety plan will have to be created and maintained as well as a hazard analysis and implementation of preventative controls.
An ingredient will be approved in the FDA inspection if:
- it is included in the CFR (needs specific code)
- it is approved by the Association of Animal Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)
- a feed additive petition is approved by the FDA
- it is covered by the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) rules
Watertech has a line of both boiler and cooing tower treatment products that have been approved under the GRAS rules. This means they have been reviewed and are approved for use under the FSMA rules. Call your Watertech representative for more information on how this may affect your specific facility or email info@watertechusa.