Ingredient Definitions Committee

Welcome to the Ingredient Definitions Committee page. The actual definitions are published annually in the AAFCO Official Publication (OP). This book is a primary source of revenue to pay for the costs of running the ingredient definition process. Your purchase of the OP is appreciated. We understand it may be a burden to purchase an OP to get one definition, and in those cases, we recommend you contact your state Department of Agriculture or look for the AAFCO Official Publication at your local library. (click here to find state contacts).

A 14 day trial subscription is available for the AAFCO Online Official Publication (OP) for $20. The online version is a secured read only document that cannot be downloaded or printed. To purchase please visit the publications page.

These definitions apply to all animal feeds. Many pet food manufacturers have tighter specifications than these definitions. We recommend talking with your pet food company about the ingredients and sources they use.

If you have questions about how ingredients are defined by AAFCO, an established definition, or a suggested definition, please complete the following form and submit it

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Forms and Information

A Guide to Submitting New Ingredient Definitions to AAFCO - PDF, updated 02/2020
Investigator Recommendation Form - Word (DOC) version
Contact information for AAFCO Investigators
The AAFCO Ingredient Definition Process Flow Chart

Powerpoint Presentations

Color Additives Used in Animal Food
- by Mika Alewynse, FDA - Midyear 2014
Information for an Ingredient Definition Submission
- by Sharon Benz, CVM, FDA
Options for Including Ingredients in the Official Publication
- by Shannon Jordre, CVM, FDA
Process Options for Substances used in Feed
- by Mika Alewynse, CVM, FDA
Animal GRAS Feed Notifications
- by Geoffrey Wong, CVM, FDA
Enzyme Labeling
- by Michaela Alewynse, CVM, FDA
Putting Your AAFCO Feed Ingredient Submission Together
- by Sharon Benz, CVM, FDA
Safety Assessment for Feed Ingredients
- by Karen Ekelman, CVM, FDA
So You Want a New Feed Ingredient Definition?
- by Shannon Jordre, Feed Ingredient Definitions Committee
Utility Information Needs for Substances with a Nutritional Effect
- by Michaela Alewynse, CVM, FDA
Utility/Manufacturing Chemistry Needs
- by Dennis McCurdy
AAFCO Investigator Responsibilities
- by Richard TenEyck, Oregon Department of Agriculture

Past IDC Minutes

Committee Members

Kelli Younker
Las Cruces, NM

Richard Ten Eyck, Chair
Salem, OR

Erin Bubb, Board Liaison
Harrisburg, PA

Mika Alewynse (FDA)
Derwood, MD

Brett Boswell
Saint Paul, MN

Ken Bowers
Manhattan, KS

Charlotte Conway (FDA)
Derwood, MD

Stan Cook
Jefferson City, MO

David Dressler
Harrisburg, PA

James Embry
College Station, TX

Maggie Faba
Saint Paul, MN

Ashlee-Rose Ferguson
Olympia, WA

George Ferguson
Raleigh, NC

Jacob Fleig
Jefferson City, MO

Brett Groves
West Lafayette, IN

Darrell Johnson
Lexington, KY

Shannon Jordre (FDA)
Rockville, MD

Ali Kashani
Olympia, WA

Dan King
Saint Paul, MN

Kent Kitade
Sacramento, CA

Jennifer Kormos
Ottawa, ON

Mark LeBlanc
West Lafayette, IN

Melanie Marquez
Saint Paul, MN

Dave Phillips
Bismarck, ND

Tom Phillips
Annapolis, MD

Nathan Price
Boise, ID

Laura Scott
Ottawa, ON

Committee Advisors

David Dzanis
American College of Veterinary Nutrition

Leah Wilkinson
American Feed Industry Association

Julia Fidenzio
American Pet Products Association/Alt.

BC Henschen
Association for Truth in Pet Food

Lonnie Boyd
Association for Truth in Pet Food/Alt.

Emily Helmes
Enzyme Technical Association

Vincent Sewalt
Enzyme Technical Association

Kristi Smedley
Humic Product Trade Association

Jan Campbell
National Grain and Feed Association

David Fairfield
National Grain and Feed Association/Alt.

Katie Vassalli
National Oilseed Processors Association

David Meeker
National Renderers Association

Tim Law
National Renderers Association/Alt.

Christopher Cowell
Pet Food Institute

Betty McPhee
Pet Food Institute/Alt.

Jean Hofve
Pet Welfare Alliance

Charles Starkey
US Poultry & Egg Association