Focus on security

Most horsemen have their own interpretation of ”feeding security”. Some think of the hygienic quality of the feed. In racing stables and among riders participating in competitions, the absence of prohibited substances is a security factor of high priority. As a major European supplier, KRAFFT directs vast resources in order to guarantee both these kinds of security. There are, however, additional aspects. Here, we are going to describe our security policy from a comprehensive perspective.

Four categories of security
Feeding security is a matter of warranting for security within four areas – hygiene, nutritional content, freedom from contamination and compliance with laws and regulations. Malin Hidgård holds a masters degree in animal husbandry and is also a product manager at KRAFFT. She stresses the importance of taking a comprehensive perspective on the subject of security.

- All areas are equally important. We cannot compromise at all. As a product manager, I devote quite a lot of my working hours to security, and that is the way it should be. Our brand actually implies a promise that horsemen should be spared from unpleasant surprises. This is the ultimate reason for the existence of standardized feeds. Feeds produced by the horsemen themselves or bought directly from another producer can never vouch for security at the same level – that is if thorough analysis is not ordered.

Continuous control of hygiene and nutritional content
At KRAFFT, controls are made due to a specific pattern. As hygiene is concerned, it is not only the presence of fungi that is subject to control.

- Meticulous controls to assess the absence of toxic mould are performed within all our plants. In addition to this we evaluate the quality of the pellets by measuring degrees of wear resistance and fragmentation. All feed leaving the plant for bulk distribution will be tested this way.

Consistent nutritional content is a principal sales point for complete feeds. Therefore, a continuous control of this parameter is paramount. The maximal variation tolerated is actually regulated by legislation.

- Raw fat, raw protein, minerals and fibres is controlled by a specific check list, and the tolerance for variations is very small.

A barrier against prohibited substances
No substance that is not declared by the producer will be tolerated. Malin emphasizes, that a zero-tolerance policy prevails.

- Indeed so. The feed is even held in quarantine for some time before shipping. Meanwhile, samples are taken for meticulous analysis. Thus we are able to assess that no prohibited substances will be found in our products. Also, our demand specifications to our suppliers are quite exacting.

Efficient information
When it comes to horse feeds, the information is scrupulously regulated. Upon the launching of new products, Malin will send the text for the information on the packages for approval by the Swedish Agricultural Board. The ways to define the ingredients are strictly regulated, as is information concerning e.g. overdosage.

Malin concludes by defining the unique resources disposed by KRAFFT to meet the strict security requirements.

- The fact that the Farmers Association owns us means a lot. We have constant access to expertise and excellent facilities for analysis. We also have a wide network within the scientific community. All of our production is meeting the standards for quality certification.