LONDON — UK Pet Food, formerly the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association, has announced a new production certification scheme. The scheme provides standards to support the safe production of raw pet food.

According to UK Pet Food, the initiative for the new scheme came from 17 of its commercial raw pet food members. Developed by KIWA, an independent scheme developer, the scheme covers supplier assurance, safe handling, product formulation, microbiological testing, internal auditing, HACCP, employee training, labeling compliance, traceability methods and systems, quality assurance and checks, and plant design and maintenance.

“The certification scheme is based on a comprehensive standard, encompassing all aspects of hygiene and feed safety,” said Michael Bellingham, chief executive officer of UK Pet Food. “It applies to the entire process from the selection of raw materials to the finished goods. It’s developed with the objective of ensuring safe products for our pets.

“Our partnership with KIWA was critical to the credibility and success of this scheme,” Bellingham added. “They are well known in the agri-food sector and have developed other highly regarded schemes such as the Universal Feed Assurance Scheme.”

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