August 8, 2024

 

Association of American Feed Control Officials and US FDA to end 17-year partnership on animal feed ingredient definitions

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has announced that its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will not be renewed upon its expiration on October 1, 2024, AquaFeed reported.

 

This MOU, identified as MOU 225-07-7001, has outlined the responsibilities of both organisations in defining animal feed ingredients for the past 17 years.

 

Austin Therrell, the executive director of AAFCO, commented on the decision: "AAFCO believes that its ingredient definition process has been a shining example of successful collaboration and partnership between states and the federal government. Although we are disappointed that the MOU is not being renewed, we are committed to being a conduit between the FDA and state regulatory programmes, and to our work to provide standardisation to the animal food industry."

 

The FDA will continue accepting AAFCO Feed Ingredient Definition requests until the MOU's expiration. AAFCO investigators, who require approximately 30 days to prepare these requests for the FDA, will cease accepting new requests on September 1 to ensure all definitions are submitted before the October 1 deadline.

 

Both AAFCO and the FDA are working on independent plans to ensure a seamless transition that continues to support the US animal food industry. The FDA is also reviewing its authorities and processes for animal food ingredient evaluations to determine if changes are needed to better protect public health and ensure a predictable market path for new ingredients.

 

"This decision opens the doors for AAFCO to look at new and innovative solutions in the ingredient space, and to seek out additional partners that can provide strong, science-based guidance to our state officials," added Therrell.

 

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has expressed its disappointment over the termination of this relationship, noting that it has been crucial for building and maintaining confidence in the safety of US animal food products, both domestically and internationally.

 

Constance Cullman, president and CEO of AFIA, stated, "AFIA's members are disheartened that the FDA will end its partnership with AAFCO, which for decades has ensured the regulatory review of animal food products is efficient, predictable, and functional. In the United States, it takes an average of three to five years and US$600,000 per ingredient before animal food innovators gain the approvals they need to sell and use their products in diets for domestic livestock and pets. Our members are concerned that uncertainty in the regulatory review processes brought about by today's announcements will only increase those figures, making the US animal ingredient marketplace an unattractive place to do business."

 

The AFIA plans to continue working with both the FDA and AAFCO on the next steps to ensure that any proposed changes to the current review processes include clear requirements for members and provide assurance that new ingredients will be reviewed consistently and promptly across state and federal jurisdictions.

-      AquaFeed