The online resource includes an A-to-Z list of terms and definitions, ingredients, and recommended quantities for those ingredients, as well as scientific data on commercial pet food components as available. AAFCO has made this resource free to provide transparency to pet owners.
These feed terms, names, and definitions are typically adopted by state feed control officials and used as the regulatory basis to ensure all ingredients used in animal feed (including pet food) meet specific efficacy and identification standards. Likewise, feed manufacturers rely on these feed terms, names, and definitions to ensure compliance with the state regulations to distribute feed products in the marketplace. Finally, these feed terms, names, and definitions provide consumers with clarity and greater understanding about the ingredients in the feed they purchase.
- AAFCO – Association of American Feed Control Officials
- AAFCO OP – Official Publication of AAFCO
- AAFCO Chapter Six – Public Access to Feed Terms, Ingredient Names and Definitions
- AFIA – American Feed Industry Association
- APHIS – Animal Health Inspection Services (in USDA)
- CFR – Code of Federal Regulations
- CPG – Compliance Policy Guide (federal)
- CVM – Center for Veterinary Medicine
- DSHEA – Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act
- FDA – Food and Drug Administration
- FFDCA – Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act
- FSMA – Food Safety Modernization Act
- GMP – Good Manufacturing Practice
- GRAS – Generally Recognized as Safe
- GA – Guaranteed analysis on labels
- FTC – Federal Trade Commission
- IDC – AAFCO’s Ingredient Definition Committee
- MR – Model Regulations
- NGFA – National Grain & Feed Association
- NOP – National Organic Program
- NOSB – National Organic Standards Board
- NRC – National Research Council, a division of National Academy of Sciences
- PDP – Principal Display Panel
- PFC – AAFCO’s Pet Food Committee
- PFI – Pet Food Institute
- RFR – Reportable Food Registry
- SAHCODHA – Severe adverse health consequence or death to humans or animals
- USDA – United States Department of Agriculture