Certification Program Will Help Biodiesel Producers Meet FSMA Requirements

(Iowa Biodisel Board) Iowa Biodiesel Board launches program to meet industry need; Webinar takes place May 10 -- Biodiesel producers who want to sell glycerin that can end up as an animal food ingredient will soon be up against the deadline to comply with new government regulations. The Iowa Biodiesel Board has developed a biodiesel Food Safety Program to help producers get into compliance with the new requirements for food-grade ingredients.

Glycerin, a byproduct of biodiesel production, is often used as an animal food ingredient. The Food and Drug Administration administers the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) guidelines, published in September of 2015. The FDA set “HARP C” implementation dates for September 2018 for companies with less than 500 full-time employees.

“If you’re a biodiesel producer and there is a reasonable chance that even some of your glycerin is going into the feed or food supply, then you will have to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act,” said Tom Brooks, chair of the Iowa Biodiesel Board and general manager of Western Dubuque Biodiesel, a plant in Farley, Iowa. “As the largest biodiesel-producing state, the Iowa Biodiesel Board decided we were in a good position to deliver a compliance program to its members, and that it could expand the offering to all biodiesel producers. This is an industry need.”

A webinar on the new IBB Food Safety Program will take place:
10:00 – 10:45 a.m. Central
Thursday, May 10
REGISTER

Working with Degart Global, a committee of biodiesel producers, ingredient marketers and food safety experts developed the IBB Food Safety Program. It consists of information, materials and the opportunity for consulting. This program simplifies compliance and reduces cost for biodiesel plants.

The compliance process itself is not a simple matter, Brooks said. Covered facilities must develop and implement a written plan that covers hazard analysis, preventative controls, monitoring procedures, corrective action procedures, verification procedures, a supply chain program and a recall plan.

Designed to complement an existing BQ-9000 or other Quality Management System program, the IBB Food Safety Program includes Quality Management Procedure templates and examples throughout to guide those users who do not have a QMS.

Upon the acceptance of certain terms and conditions, the purchaser will receive a package that includes step-by-step guidance, templates, forms, Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) and other documented information for hazard analysis and preventive control measures.

The cost of the program ranges from $3,000 - $6,000 as a one-time cost. At an additional cost, a one-day off-site desk review of the plant’s documents or two-day on-site implementation assistance is available.

“Compared to hiring another third party to build a compliance program for you or trying to do it yourself, IBB’s program is a simple, affordable way to get into compliance,” said Grant Kimberley, IBB executive director. “We hope others outside of Iowa will take advantage of it.”

The Iowa Biodiesel Board is a state trade association representing the biodiesel industry. In 2017, Iowa’s 12 biodiesel plants produced about 255 million gallons of biodiesel.