When antibiotics are found in animal feed, even in trace amounts, they can contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Stopping the emergence and spread of these resistant bacteria is an urgent public health challenge, and animal feed has an important role to play.
While the use of antibiotics in feed as growth promoters has been banned in the EU since 2006, they are still widely used in many parts of the world. This practice continues to drive resistance and endangers the effectiveness of life-saving antibiotics. It can also enter the environment through manure, runoff, and wastewater, which can contribute to antibiotic-resistant bacteria in natural ecosystems.
Independent certification making a difference
There’s growing demand from both regulators and consumers that the entire feed supply chain – from sourcing to production, storage, and transport – is proven to be fully antibiotic-free. And that’s where our new international standard comes in.
The current GMP+ standard requires companies to strictly control the use of antibiotics and monitor for any contamination. However, at the 2022 Global Feed Safety Summit, GMP+ International committed to expand its role in tackling the issue in response to industry concerns about the need to go further.
We are excited to now launch the international version of the GMP+ TS2.2 Antibiotic-free feed add-on standard. It is built on the experience of an earlier version of the same standard developed for the Dutch market, and is now available for companies worldwide. Developed in collaboration with global experts, this standard offers feed companies everywhere a way to demonstrate that their products and operations are truly antibiotic-free.
Meeting the standard
To get certified under the TS2.2 standard, companies must first hold a GMP+ Feed Safety Assurance (FSA) certificate. Building on that foundation, they must then prove that no antibiotics are present or handled at their production facility at all. This isn’t about certifying a single batch, or a separate product line; it’s about certifying the entire production site.
An independent and qualified party is also required to take regular samples of the feed, and these are tested (usually using high-sensitivity LC-MS/MS analysis) for any trace presence of antibiotics. The certification also extends to cover compound deed, feed materials, feed additives, and premixtures.
For retailers and consumers, feed produced under TS2.2 is one more guarantee that their food is safe, and that it comes from a supply chain committed to preserving the effectiveness of vital medicines. While the certification applies to feed companies, it helps livestock and aquaculture farmers demonstrate their commitment to antibiotic-free production.
Get started
Livestock and aquaculture farmers are increasingly expected to be transparent in how their animals are raised, and antibiotic-free feed certification is a credible way to meet that growing area of scrutiny.
If you’re ready to certify your company with the TS2.2 Antibiotic-free feed standard, then get in touch with your Certification Body today and take the next step to combat the threat of antimicrobial resistance.