At GMP+ International, we receive more and more requests for risk assessments for residual products. The focus on the circular economy is growing steadily in the feed sector as elsewhere.
Roland van der Post
Managing Director, GMP+ International
While interest in circularity may be increasing, the concept is anything but new. My grandpa fed spent grain to his cows. The baker in the village kept pigs to feed the leftover bread to.
In a fully circular economy, there is no longer any waste, only new raw materials. In a world in which we need to be more careful in our use of raw materials and energy, it is no more than logical that feed companies should ask themselves which other residual products they can use.
Orange skins are often used. The demand for citrus water, a by-product from squeezing citrus fruits, is also growing. Likewise in demand is oat protein, a by-product from dehulled oats. Then there are residual products from the production of margarine and fats. Supply is growing, demand is increasing and there are more and more innovations in the area of circularity. In short: a greater emphasis on sustainability and more opportunities for businesses to achieve extra turnover and cost savings.
But along with opportunities, there are also always risks. Because residual products are often obtained from companies that trade in foodstuffs, we are often too quick to assume that product safety will be in order. But the watchword in feed safety is: trust is good, verification is better.
The use of residual products may offer opportunities, but let's not treat them as ‘quick wins’. Due care must be observed in the collection, storage and processing of residual products. At GMP+ International, we will continue to oversee that process. Companies can request a risk assessment for a ‘new’ product from GMP+. We will assess it and then publish it on our website. This keeps companies informed so they can safely start using new products.
Circularity offers a good way of making operations more sustainable for the sector. If we all make sure we handle residual products with care, that will be good news not just for our planet but also for feed safety.
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