Specifications include, but are not limited to: The Supplier shall provide a complete and balanced mixed carnivore ration with appropriate vitamin/mineral supplementation. The Supplier shall supply beef and/or horsemeat only (no pork, chicken or other). The Supplier shall operate out of a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspected facility and have USDA (or Canadian equivalent) inspected raw ingredients for horse meat. The Supplier shall have documented, comprehensive Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACPP) Program In place (food safety). Product provided shall not contain any ingredients from animals or carcasses designated as 3D or 4D meat sources by an agent of Food Safety and Inspection Services. This refers to the original source of beef; 3D/4D refers to diseased, down, dead, dying cattle used. The supplier shall have a routine microbial culture testing (for equipment and product), testing can be in-house or sent out. Testing shall be performed at least twice a month for E. coli, total plate count, coliform count, salmonella, and staph. The supplier is required to have fixed formulations. The supplier shall consult with experienced zoo/expert nutritionist for all formula changes, etc. The supplier shall perform nutrient analysis during and after production, to include proximate and fat, minerals, and weekly – in house and outsourced analysis of moisture, protein, fat, and ash. Meat shall be fresh and processed in USDA inspected plants under strict sanitary conditions, stored at freezer temperatures of 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Products shall be maintained in such frozen state until delivered to the zoo. Product shall meet all-Natural Resource Commission (NRC) and Association Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) requirements.
