January 6, 2009
FACS opens feed audit service office in China
UK's FACS Ltd. has opened an office in Beijing to provide a second party audit service for feed and premix companies worldwide that intend to source raw materials, feed additives and medications from China.
FACS Ltd, which is responsible for the animal feed supply chain audits for the UK's supermarket giant Tesco, said supplier approval and traceability are the biggest challenges facing the feed industry.
The global food and feed industry is searching for cost-effective sources of feed materials and many are sourced from China, said managing director Jon Ratcliff.
However, the recent experiences with melamine and dioxin have raised concern about China's product safety, even with companies that are certified, said Ratcliff.
The service will be provided to external companies looking for supplier approval, and also companies in China that want to demonstrate their food safety levels to customers, said Ratcliff, adding that FACS will provide full audit inspection and process risk assessment tailored to the clients' needs.