Each supplier must not only ensure that key management personnel are PQA Plus Certified but also require each production site to ensure that key management personnel that handle pigs are PQA Plus Certified.In addition, Walmart and Sam’s Club will make the following NPB PQA Plus program requirements mandatory: Walmart and Sam’s Club will work with suppliers to determine an acceptable level of required performance after a benchmark is determined based on the supplier information. Each supplier must make the documentation and results of the tracking and audit program available to Walmart as requested, but not less than twice annually.The supplier must retain records on the audit results, including the grade, corrective actions and PQA Plus certification number. These audits will be done with 72 hours notice. These audits must be done by PQA Plus-certified personnel and must include annual audits and probable abuse audits. Each fresh pork supplier must implement an internal annual animal welfare audit for all farms that includes a grading system and corrective action tracking.Until all farms have video monitoring, an accredited and independent third-party will conduct annual on-site audits on farms without the technology. This will result in 100% coverage by the end of 2018. Implementation of video monitoring on sow farms must be complete on 20% of production supplied to Walmart and Sam’s Club on sow farms by the end of 2014, with another 20% of production added each year for the next 4 years. Each fresh pork supplier must have on-farm video monitoring for sow farms and will be subject to unannounced animal welfare video audits by an accredited and independent third-party.Specific new tracking and audit requirements include: Walmart and Sam’s Club will continue to only accept fresh pork from animals raised under the standards of the National Pork Board’s (NPB’s) Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) Plus Program.
Every fresh pork supplier will be required to meet the new program requirements. As a result, in addition to our current programs, Walmart and Sam’s Club are launching a new tracking and audit program for our fresh pork supply. We seek continuous improvement in animal welfare practices within our fresh pork supply chain. You can reach her on Twitter.Animal Welfare - Swine Assurance PositionĪt Walmart and Sam’s Club we are committed to providing our customers with safe, affordable, and sustainable food as well as promoting the humane treatment of animals.
Michelle Shen is a Money & Tech Digital Reporter for USA TODAY. ► Kale recall 2021: Kale sold at some Kroger and Winn-Dixie stores recalled for possible listeria contamination "Inorganic arsenic exposure in utero and in the very young is associated with impaired intellectual development, such as decreased performance on certain developmental tests that measure learning," says the FDA. However, as rice plants grow, they absorb arsenic more readily than other food crops.Īdditionally, a study by the FDA found that inorganic arsenic has an outsize impact on young children. said it is issuing the voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution.Īrsenic is a naturally occurring element in the environment that can enter the food supply through soil, water or air, and most of the time, concerning levels of arsenic are not found in food, according to the FDA. While the test results were in compliance with the FDA’s guidelines, manufacturer Maple Island Inc. ► Recent food recalls: Salmonella outbreak, mislabeled food and unsafe levels of lead prompt food recalls Walmart has pulled the product off its shelves and put a register block on the product at its stores and online to prevent any further sales.