PMI® Richmond Indiana Pest Control Program
QUALITY ASSURED PEST CONTROL
To guarantee that our ISO 9001:2000 Certified LabDiet® plant meets industry, as well as our own high sanitation standards, Purina Mills, Inc. (PMI®) maintains a quality assured pest control program. PMI® employs outside contractors - trained, technical professionals - who use the most advanced techniques, equipment, and pesticides, with special consideration of the latest available biological, ecological, and environmental information. Our pest control program provides outstanding protection against insects, rodents, and bird pests, while meeting the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for food processing, warehousing, and related industries. Of course, all state, federal, and local health, safety, and pesticide use regulations are followed.
PEST CONTROL AND RECORD
KEEPING
PMI® receives Pest Control and Sanitation Log Reports, generated by our pest control contractors, which detail all pest control services performed as well as names, amounts, and locations of all pesticides used. We request recommendations concerning sanitation condition, structural deficiencies, and other suggestions to enhance safety or cleanliness. PMI® makes every effort to promptly institute any changes which enhance safety and cleanliness and keep our facilities free of contamination. Records are kept by PMI® as well as a designated person at the pest control's firm.
INSECT CONTROL
Interior Crawling Insect Control: PMI®'s pest control program controls for insects, when appropriate, in:
All non-residual insecticides are applied into cracks and crevices via low pressure, pin-stream treatment, or according to EPA approved label directions, eliminating any possibility of product contamination. All of the above areas are inspected thoroughly. Documentation of inspections and treatments completed is recorded in the Log Report.
Exterior Crawling Insect Control: Control of ants, crickets, centipedes, millipedes, sowbugs, pillbugs, and other periodic normal levels of arthropod invaders is maintained.
Exterior perimeters along buildings and around doors and windows are treated with a residual chemical as necessary to prevent outside crawling insects from entering.
Special Insect Control: If flies become a nuisance, liquid treatment or fly bait is applied in area where it cannot be tracked into production area. When necessary, automatic insecticide dispensing equipment is employed.
In the unlikely event that PMI® receives an infested product or raw material, fumigation is conducted by the pest control firm.
Pesticide Use: Only EPA approved non-residual pesticides are used in PMI® facilities. Pesticides are used only in a manner that does not adulterate or contaminate PMI®'s products, product equipment, or product containers as designated by federal, state, and local laws.
Upon PMI®'s acceptance of a pest control proposal, our contractor submits a list of pesticides to be used for the local government inspector's approval. The contractor does not deviate from the proposal unless prior written permission of any change in the use of said pesticides is received. This pesticide list is changed as federal, state, or local regulations change and new products become approved or existing ones become restricted. Labels and appropriate MSDS sheets for all pesticides used are maintained in a log book held by our inspector in charge.
RODENT CONTROL
Rodent control equipment is strategically placed by PMI®'s pest control service to provide protection against rodent entry from surrounding outside areas into facilities. Rodent Ketch-All trapping equipment provides immediate rodent control. Automatic multiple-catch traps are used where appropriate to provide continuous protection and rodent carcass control within the trap.
We keep all doors and windows shut or screened and adequately sealed to prevent potential pest entry. Debris is not kept around the outside and inside premises to prevent rodent harborage. We also inspect all incoming products to prevent pest entry.
Rodent Equipment Placement Map: All rodent bait stations contain a POISON label and an identification label generated by the pest control firm. Bait stations and trapping equipment are numbered and located in accordance with a Rodent Equipment Placement Map. Rodent bait stations are not located in food production areas without special approval from appropriate regulatory agencies. The Rodent Equipment Placement Map is maintained in the Log Report held by our inspector in charge.
Initial and Date Stickers: Rodent bait stations and trapping equipment contain a name initial and date sticker, indicating the date and the initials of the service technician responsible for each service. Each station and trap are checked regularly and maintained by the service technician as required.
BIRD CONTROL
Bird Management Avicide is applied to remove sparrows, starlings and pigeons, where necessary. PMI® obtains any necessary permits for toxicants and/or use of bird repellents for application to roosting areas.
FUMIGATION
If a product or equipment infestation is encountered, PMI® authorizes the servicing pest control firm to fumigate the infested product or equipment - either by floor tarp application or within a suitable vehicle. To prevent introduction of infested ingredients, we inspect all incoming ingredients before unloading.
QUALITY CONTROL
INSPECTION
PMI®'s contracted pest control firm conducts internal quality control audits to provide unbiased and reliable reporting of pest control and sanitation conditions. Inspections are conducted according to the latest USDA, FDA, and EPA laws, and GMP regulations to identify potential sanitation deficiencies. After completion of inspection, PMI® discusses with the inspector any recommendations for actions to eliminate pest or sanitation problems.
RHI-QA-QB-235-00