The Development of a Risk Assessment Model for Inedible Rendering Plants in Canada: Identifying and Selecting Feed...

Area of Science:

• Food safety science
• Risk assessment modeling
• Animal feed production

Background:

• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) requires a robust system for evaluating feed safety risks in rendering plants.
• Current inspection resource allocation needs a data-driven, risk-based approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and select feed-safety-related factors and assessment criteria for the ERA-Renderer model.
• To establish an evidence-based framework for categorizing rendering plant risks.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a literature review to identify evidence-based risk factors in livestock feed rendering.
• Applied a refinement process for factor selection based on data availability and measurability.
• Utilized an expert panel to select final factors and assessment criteria relevant to the Canadian rendering industry.

Main Results:

• A final list of 32 factors was developed, categorized into inherent risk (4), risk mitigation (8), and regulatory compliance (20).
• A total of 179 criteria were defined for assessing these factors within the Canadian rendering industry.
• These factors and criteria form the basis for the ERA-Renderer model's risk estimation.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully identified and selected key factors and criteria for the ERA-Renderer model.
• The ERA-Renderer model will offer a standardized, transparent, and evidence-based method for managing feed safety risks in Canada's rendering sector.
• Implementation will enhance the CFIA's ability to allocate inspection resources based on assessed animal and human health risks.