Salmonella in Feed: How to Control the Risk and What’s New in the FEDIOL Package for EFISC-GTP Companies

Salmonella remains one of the key biological risks in the “feed – animals – food” chain. Contaminated feed can become a source of infection for farm animals, and through them, for animal-origin products reaching the consumer. Therefore, salmonella control is not a formal requirement but the foundation of safety for the entire chain.
Where Salmonella in Feed Comes From
Typical sources and routes of spread:

• raw materials;
• the production environment: dust, product residues, equipment “dead zones”;
• condensation and moisture on lines, in silos, and in coolers;
• pests, birds, and rodents;
• cross-contamination between “clean” and “dirty” zones.

The particular difficulty is that salmonella can persist in the production environment for months and even years. If salmonella has become established at a facility, cleaning alone will not remove it, and test results will be positive again.
Why Controlling the Finished Product Is Not Enough
Salmonella is distributed unevenly within a batch, so a negative test result does not guarantee the absence of a problem. An effective system relies on several levels:

• control and evaluation of raw material suppliers;
• validated measures to reduce microbial load;
• monitoring of the production environment, not just the product;
• strict zoning and process hygiene;
• predefined actions when salmonella is detected.

How This Works Under EFISC-GTP
The EFISC-GTP scheme requires certified companies to manage feed safety risks based on HACCP principles, and salmonella is one of the central biological risks that an organization must identify, assess, and control. The auditor checks not only whether a monitoring plan exists, but also how the company responds to deviations, notifies stakeholders, and prevents recurrence.
New: FEDIOL Salmonella Control Package (2026)
In October 2026, EFISC-GTP announced the release of the updated Salmonella Control Package from FEDIOL. The package includes two tools.
1.2026 Guide. A practical, step-by-step operational guide replacing the previous FEDIOL Salmonella Factsheet. Compared with the old version, it adds:

• a three-stage escalation model with clear protocols for normal production, incidental contamination, and persistent presence of the microorganisms;
• strict notification rules: standardized criteria for informing authorities, customers, and certification bodies;
• technical solutions: detailed steps for eliminating condensation, managing the “startup meal,” and ensuring strict zoning of the facility.

2.Checklist v1.1. An Excel tool that allows a company to self-assess its level of salmonella control and prepare for an audit.
Salmonella requires a systematic approach: from raw material suppliers to technical solutions on site and transparent communication during incidents. The new FEDIOL package turns general principles into a working tool, and for EFISC-GTP companies it is a convenient basis for audit preparation.
The documents mentioned can be obtained from the official FEDIOL website or simply by writing to us at info@certgic.com