Animal Feed, Pet Food/treats and Ingredient manufacturers use the irradiation process in the production of quality animal food products. Radiation technologies such as Gamma, Electron Beam, and X-Ray, when used to introduce a critical kill-step designed to meet FDA requirements, effectively reduce harmful pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria. This webinar will address the steps necessary to properly establish an irradiation process that helps ensure product safety without compromising the final product packaging.
Key Topics Covered:
- FDA Regulations: Overview of Title 21 CFR Part 579, which governs the irradiation of animal diets, including allowable doses and labeling requirements.
- Pathogen Reduction: How irradiation effectively eliminates harmful microorganisms such as E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella from pet food and treats, reducing the risk of foodborne illness and product recalls.
- Radiation Technologies: Explanation of the three main modalities—gamma irradiation, electron beam (E-beam), and X-ray—including their principles, penetration capabilities, and suitability for different product types and packaging.
- Safety and Nutritional Impact: Irradiated products are not radioactive and that nutrient composition remains unchanged after treatment.
- Process Validation: Importance of establishing robust irradiation processes before a crisis occurs, including dosimetry and dose uniformity for consistent results.
- Packaging and Logistics: No special packaging is required for irradiation, and products can often stay on the pallet that the product is delivered on.
- Labeling Requirements: In the U.S., finished products treated by irradiation must display the Radura symbol; ingredients making up less than 5% of the finished product do not require labeling.
Key Takeaways:
- Radiation processing is a proven, safe, and effective method for reducing pathogens in animal health products.
- It helps safeguard both animal and human health, extends shelf life, and protects a products brand reputation.