Certification Program Launched to Help Biodiesel Producers Meet FSMA Requirements

In Iowa, the Iowa Biodiesel Board developed a biodiesel Food Safety Program to help producers get into compliance with the new requirements for food-grade ingredients. 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 Food and Drug Administration administers the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) guidelines. 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.”