Pellet Technology USA (PTUSA), a forward-thinking innovator in feed manufacturing and sustainable agricultural solutions, has officially achieved the prestigious Safe Feed/Safe Food (SF/SF) certification. This nationally recognized certification, administered by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), reinforces PTUSA’s commitment to the highest standards of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance across its entire operational footprint.
The SF/SF certification is not merely a badge of compliance—it represents a comprehensive validation of a company’s internal systems, from sourcing and procurement to manufacturing, storage, and distribution. It is widely considered one of the feed industry’s most rigorous safety programs, aimed at minimizing risks in the animal food supply chain while promoting traceability, transparency, and excellence in operational performance.
A Year-Long Journey Toward Certification
For PTUSA, the road to certification began over a year ago, prompted by the company’s goal of strengthening its role as a trusted leader in the animal feed sector. The decision to pursue SF/SF certification wasn’t taken lightly. It required not only procedural adjustments but a fundamental review of how the company manages quality, safety, and traceability across all departments.
The multi-step certification process began with a thorough internal evaluation to benchmark PTUSA’s existing practices against the SF/SF standard. The company then embarked on a rigorous, months-long journey to refine and formalize its procedures. Every aspect of PTUSA’s operation was placed under scrutiny—ingredient sourcing, inventory control, production methods, facility sanitation, pest management, employee training, recordkeeping, vendor oversight, and product traceability were all subject to careful assessment and improvement.
“This process challenged us to look more critically at how we manage every detail of our operation,” said Mikayla Gaver, Assistant Plant Manager at PTUSA. “It wasn’t just about passing an audit—it was about elevating our internal culture to one that lives and breathes safety, quality, and responsibility at every level.”
A Comprehensive and High-Stakes Audit
To earn SF/SF certification, PTUSA underwent a multi-phase evaluation process administered by independent auditors certified by the AFIA. The audit began with a preliminary assessment to identify any immediate gaps in compliance. PTUSA also opted to complete an elective readiness audit, a voluntary step that allowed the team to prepare more effectively for the final evaluation.
The final phase of the process consisted of a full-day, on-site audit in which every critical control point and operational standard was examined in real time. Auditors reviewed extensive documentation, interviewed personnel, and observed key production and quality control practices on the ground.
The result was a resounding success. PTUSA received an excellent rating, placing it among the most well-run and compliant feed manufacturing operations in the country. According to the audit findings, the company demonstrated “exemplary performance” in all evaluated categories, including safety protocols, facility cleanliness, documentation accuracy, staff training, and adherence to critical control standards.
Certification Reflects a Culture of Continuous Improvement
For PTUSA, the certification is more than a milestone—it’s a testament to the company’s ongoing drive for improvement, innovation, and operational transparency. It represents not just what PTUSA has achieved, but how it approaches every decision, every process, and every customer interaction.
“This certification is the result of hard work and collaboration across every part of our business,” said Ellie Antova, General Manager of PTUSA. “From the plant floor to our corporate leadership, every team member played a role in helping us meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Safe Feed/Safe Food program.”
Antova emphasized that achieving SF/SF certification strengthens PTUSA’s value proposition to customers, partners, and regulatory stakeholders alike. “It helps ensure the safety and quality of feed products throughout the supply chain. More importantly, it reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence, giving our customers greater confidence that our products are built on reliable processes, continuous improvement, and a culture that puts product quality and integrity first.”
Why the Safe Feed/Safe Food Program Matters
Launched by the AFIA in 2004, the Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification Program was created to address rising concerns about feed safety, animal health, and transparency in the agricultural supply chain. The program is designed to go above and beyond existing regulatory requirements, including those set by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), to promote proactive risk management and encourage excellence across the entire feed production process.
Companies certified under the SF/SF program must not only maintain rigorous internal controls but also demonstrate accountability through regular inspections and audits. Certified facilities are expected to maintain clear and complete documentation of every process that affects product quality, ensuring traceability in the event of any issue and protecting both animal and human health.
In the years since its creation, the SF/SF program has grown to include feed mills, ingredient suppliers, and other industry players committed to best-in-class safety standards. For customers and partners, SF/SF certification is an indicator of a company’s seriousness in ensuring product safety and quality through structured, well-managed systems.
