Procedimentos operacionais padrões em fábricas de produtos destinados à alimentação animal

Abstract

Feed mills play an extremely important role in the agricultural sector, as they must supply nutritionally balanced and safe products for a wide range of domestic species. In order to begin operating, establishments that manufacture animal products and sell them to other establishments must register with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) and follow the legislation in force, including Normative Instruction Nº 4 of February 23, 2007, which stipulates that manufacturers of animal feed products must present a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Manual and attach their standard operating procedure(s) (SOPs) to it, with the aim of preserving the quality and safety of the raw materials and final product and guaranteeing the safety of the handlers. The company must address at least nine items in its SOPs: a) qualification of suppliers and control of raw materials and packaging; b) cleaning/hygienization of facilities, equipment and utensils; c) hygiene and health of personnel; d) potability of water and sanitation of reservoirs; e) prevention of cross-contamination; f) maintenance and calibration of equipment and instruments; g) integrated pest control; h) control of waste and effluents; and i) product traceability and recall program. By providing safe and innocuous products for the consumption of farm animals, feed mills contribute to the competitiveness and conformity of animal products intended for human consumption, in line with international standards. In view of this, the aim of this work was to discuss the mandatory SOPs in feed mills, as established by current legislation.