To provide a forum for the development and recognition of commercial feed ingredient definitions and to compile and maintain those definitions in a comprehensive manual that serves as a resource for regulators and the entire animal food industry.
Common Food Index (CFI) Subcommittee
To maintain a public index of some of the ingredients that meet the definition of a “common food.”
AAFCO has instituted a repository, referred to as the Common Food Index (CFI), of common foods that may be appropriate for use in animal food and serve as a tool for use during review of ingredients on an animal food label, providing harmonization and transparency.
Common foods are defined as: “Food items commercially available and suitable for use in animal food but are not defined by AAFCO, including but not limited to certain whole seeds, vegetables, or fruits. Common food for animals may include common human foods that are known to be safe for the intended use in animal food. Manufacturers are responsible for determining whether a common food is safe and has utility for its intended use prior to commercial distribution as animal food.”
AAFCO’s subcommittee of experienced ingredient definition and label reviewers will assess the submissions regularly and post those food items recommended for acceptance to the AAFCO.org website for public feedback. The posting of food items recommended for acceptance will occur twice per year in advance of AAFCO’s Midyear and Annual Ingredient Definitions Committee (IDC) Meetings.
The CFI subcommittee will provide a recommended list of new food items, based on the feedback received, to be included in the Common Food Index before the final meeting agenda is posted for the IDC.
A link to the AAFCO Common Food Index (CFI) Submission Worksheet is provided below and must be complete for the submission to be considered by the CFI subcommittee.
CFI 08/04/2025
Acorn Squash
Almond, sweet (P.dulcis, variety dulcis)
Apple
Apricot
Asparagus
Banana
Black Bean
Black-Eyed Peas
Blackberry
Blueberry
Broccoli
Buckwheat
Butter Bean
Butternut Squash
Cabbage
Cantaloupe
Carob
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Champignon Mushroom (AKA White Button)
Cherry
Chickpea (AKA Garbanzo)
Cilantro
Coconut
Collard Greens
Cranberry
Cucumber
Dates
Egg (from poultry)
Fava Bean
Green Bean
Honey
Honeydew
Kale
Kidney Bean
King Oyster Mushrooms
Kiwi
Lentil
Lettuce
Lima Bean
Maitake Mushroom
Mango
Millet
Mulberry
Navy Bean
Nectarine
New Zealand Green Mussel
Niger Seed
Okra
Oyster Mushroom
Papaya
Pea (Field Pea or Garden Pea variety)
Peach
Peanut
Pear
Pineapple
Pinto Bean
Plantain
Plum
Portobello Mushroom
Potato
Pumpkin
Pumpkin Seeds
Raspberry
Red Beet
Rice (Oryza sativa varietals)
Safflower Seed
Shiitake Mushroom
Snow Pea
Spelt
Strawberry
Sugar (sucrose)
Sugar Beet
Sunflower Seed
Sweet Potato
Tomato
Turnip
Watermelon
Yam
Yellow Squash
Zucchini
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