From wide-ranging challenges presented by the global market place to changing consumer demands and preferences, the of year 2019 has certainly presented many obstacles. Locally, an expansive winter kill on our hay fields and a late, low producing harvest along with low milk and commodity prices continue to make it difficult to remain optimistic. What can producers do? We ask ourselves and others this question every day. How do we survive? How can we be more efficient? How can we make more with less?
A Challenge that Northside Elevator is working to embrace is the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) implemented by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Congress enacted FSMA in response to dramatic changes in the global food system and the understanding of foodborne illness and their consequences. This includes the realization that preventable foodborne illness is both a significant public health problem and a threat to the economic well-being of the food system and our livelihoods.
The FDA has finalized eight major rules to implement FSMA, recognizing that ensuring the safety of the food supply is a shared responsibility among many different points in the global supply chain for both human and animal food. The FSMA rules are designed to make clear specific actions that must be taken at each of these points to prevent contamination. Northside Elevator is legally required to follow applicable FSMA rules for our industry.
The eight Foundational Rules of FSMA are as follows:
- Accredited Third-Party Certification
- Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food
- Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals
- Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP)
- Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration
- Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food
- Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption
- Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP)
Northside Elevator works hard to make certain the products producers receive are free from any source of contamination. We have made many improvements in year 2019 to our mill facility as well as to our delivery systems and procedures to help ensure the products that arrive on your farm are free from defect. We work with approved suppliers to receive only high-quality, proven ingredients. Should an ingredient recall happen, we are able to trace ingredients directly to individual producers. Six years ago, Northside Elevator voluntarily underwent Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification in preparation for FSMA. Yearly we undergo third party audits, similar to a milk Inspection on a dairy farm. The focus is for continuous improvement in quality to uphold our reputation in the feed industry for safe, high quality feed.
Regardless of the obstacles, producers can count on Northside Elevator. Together we will work to meet changing consumer preferences and federal regulations.
Twelve Holiday Safety Tips
- Keep decorations at least three feet away from heat sources – especially heat sources with an open flame.
- When decorating make sure not to run cords under rugs or furniture.
- If you have a natural Christmas tree water it to keep it fresh and safe. If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled, certified, or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant.
- Keep all outdoor extensions cords and light strings clear of snow and standing water.
- Make sure your decorations, like a Christmas tree, are not blocking an exit.
- Every home needs a working smoke alarm in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on every level, including the basement.
- Do not mount or support light strings in a way that might damage the cord’s insulation.
- If you’re using a space heater, switch it to off before leaving the room.
- Inspect decorations and discard any that are damaged or worn out. Cracked or frayed sockets, loose or bare wires, and loose connections may cause a serious shock or start a fire.
- Keep batteries stored safely in their packaging and out of reach from small children and pets.
- Avoid plugging in too many holiday lights and decorations into a single outlet. Overloaded outlets can overheat and cause a fire.
- Always turn off all indoor and outdoor electrical decorations before leaving home or going to bed.
Northside Protocols For Manufacturing And Delivering Safe Livestock Feed
- Routine equipment flushing; to reduce risk of cross contamination.
- Individual raw ingredient storage.
- Biosecure finished feed storage.
- Ongoing employee training.
- Routine lab testing on raw ingredients and finished products.
Holiday Hours
Christmas Eve: 7 — Noon
Christmas Day: Closed
New Year’s Day: Closed