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Producing oilcake

safe for use in animal feed

By Johan Schieke, associate product manager, Kemin Industries

ilseed oils are usually by-products are stored, should be clean (and surface. The use of an antimicrobial
produced using one of regularly cleaned and maintained through a should be repeated daily, to prevent
two different processing hygiene programme) and the environment recontamination and control microbial
methods: mechanical screw should be kept dry and well ventilated. growth rates. The antimicrobial should
O pressing, or a combination Equipment used to transport and move the also ideally be able to reach and treat
of chemical extrusion and physical by-products, must also be kept clean and dry some of the areas that cannot be
expelling (screw pressing). through a regular cleaning programme. physically cleaned.
During processing the oilseeds are If the by-products are stored in bags, they
subjected to very high temperatures, need to be bagged at a temperature higher During storage and transportation, the
which reduces the bacterial risk in the than 5°C above the ambient temperature, following actions can be considered:
oilcake to virtually zero. Unfortunately, to prevent condensation inside the bags. • The floor of the warehouse where the
this can all be undone if the oilcake The bags should also preferably be porous, by-products will be stored should be
becomes recontaminated further down the to allow for continued ventilation during kept clean and dry through a regular
production process. Oilseed by-products storage. Any excess moisture can cause cleaning programme. The use of an
remain one of the raw materials with the mould and bacterial growth over time. antimicrobial product is advised to
highest risk for bacterial contamination, This will reduce the quality of the disinfect the floor and any contact
according to test results, with Salmonella products by reducing its nutritional value surfaces, and ensure that bacterial
contamination a particular risk. (as microbes, such as bacteria and moulds, loads are kept as low as possible,
consume nutrients in order to grow) and especially if the by-products will be in
High risk of contamination contaminating it with potentially harmful direct contact with the area/floor.
The cooling process is one of the bacteria, which may cause possible • If the by-products are stored in bags,
production steps that poses the highest detrimental health problems in the livestock the bags should be kept clean, dry
risk for recontamination. Coolers are the and people consuming these products. and cool. The bags should also allow
fulcrum point where heat is dissipated, for ventilation, with correct spacing
creating a location where both moisture Possible preventative measures and stacking, to prevent the build-up
and some residual heat from steam and In the cooler and production areas, the of excess moisture/condensation and
evaporation accumulate (especially where following actions can be considered: potential heat from microbial growth.
coolers run continuously). This creates an • Thorough physical cleaning of the • Any machinery being used to transport
ideal environment for bacterial growth as inside of the cooler/production areas or move the by-products need to be
moisture, heat and nutrients are required for and removal of old product. This physically cleaned and disinfected with an
bacterial growth, all of which are supplied in should be done as often as possible, antimicrobial as often as possible (at least
these types of production areas. preferably daily and at least weekly. weekly, preferably daily after each shift).
As oilcake continuously moves through the Physical cleaning of the surfaces is • The trucks or other vehicles delivering
cooler, it can be recontaminated by contact essential, to remove dust that can be a the products should also be kept clean
with any bacteria present on the surfaces of carrier of bacteria, such as Salmonella. and be disinfected between deliveries.
the cooler. Equipment surfaces further down • The application of an antimicrobial Special attention should be given to
the production process can also be a possible product onto the production surfaces the inside of the vehicles into which
risk for bacterial recontamination. can be considered to reduce microbial the product is loaded, to ensure that
levels and thus reduce the risk of disinfection takes place before every
Managing storage options recontamination in these high-risk new load is transported.
Storage of oilseed by-products is another areas. These surfaces should always first
critical focal point, as it is central to the be physically cleaned as far as possible For enquiries or references,
production of safe ingredients used in animal before the antimicrobial is applied, for it send an email to Johan Schieke
feed and human food. The facilities at which to be effective at disinfecting the target at johan.schieke@kemin.com.

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