“Do not out-engineer your people. Think about what you are doing. Do not paint yourself in a corner, and have all your bases covered,” stressed James Emerson, director of quality assurance and food safety with Pilgrim’s, while presenting at USPOULTRY’s 2016 Poultry Protein & Fat Seminar in Nashville on Oct. 17. In his presentation on “FMSA Training Requirements for Rendering,” Emerson provided attendees with upcoming deadlines and discussed required paperwork and training records that benefit one’s company in complying with FSMA training requirements.
Jacob Swann, corporate food safety & quality manager for American Proteins, focused on finished products in his presentation on “Preventive and Reactive Programs for Foreign Material.” He discussed how magnets, screens, metal detectors and cameras can assist a facility in being proactive by keeping products free of foreign contamination. Swann reflected that preventative programs which include daily inspection reports and training of employees form a bigger picture of having a clean, finished product for consumers, not only within the pet food aspect, but the industry as a whole.
Steve Smith, field service representative for American Proteins, provided insight on foreign contamination of raw material. Smith indicated that having signs around a facility for employees and visitors helps raise awareness. He also presented a quick video training session to show employees how to properly discard materials without contaminating the raw product.
Mark Jolley, director of manufacturing services for Marshall Institute, discussed achieving and sustaining asset reliability. He reviewed three main areas, which included the basic concept of asset reliability, basic equipment care and maintenance excellence. Jolley emphasized that training employees on cleaning and tightening equipment, improving workplace organization and implementing various preventative measures play a key part in a facility’s equipment lasting longer than its estimated life span.
