AAFCO Considering Proposal for New Regulatory Pathway

AAFCO is considering a proposal from Kansas State University Olathe to establish a new regulatory pathway for animal food ingredients. The Association is seeking feedback on the proposed scientific review panel that would replace the former MOU with the FDA.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) announced that it is considering a proposal from Kansas State University’s K-State Olathe Innovation Campus (K-State Olathe) to provide the scientific review for its new animal food ingredient submission pathway. This proposed pathway would replace AAFCO’s former Ingredient Definition Request process that sunsetted on October 1, 2024, following the expiration of AAFCO’s Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“AAFCO has been considering a number of pathway options to provide the animal feed industry with a thorough and innovative review process that can bring new ingredients to market safely and efficiently,” shared Austin Therrell, executive director of AAFCO. “The proposal from K-State Olathe is scientifically driven, comprehensive and can be completed in half the time as the former review process we had in place.”

The proposed process, managed by K-State Olathe, will be led by Dr. Haley Larson, Ph.D., and will include a scientific review panel comprised of subject matter experts from universities across the U.S. and independent consultants to provide diversity and representation of all animal species. Together, this panel will evaluate potential ingredient submissions from industry and provide recommendations back to AAFCO membership for final approval. Approved ingredients will then be included in AAFCO’s Official Publication, which is considered the most comprehensive list of approved feed ingredients in the world, and recognized by state, international regulatory agencies, and the animal food industry.

AAFCO’s previous ingredient review process had been formally in place for 17 years through its Memorandum of Understanding with the FDA. The two organizations announced earlier this year that the agreement would not be renewed when it expired on October 1.

AAFCO is seeking comments and feedback from feed regulators and industry experts on K-State Olathe’s proposal. All comments should be submitted in writing to aafco@aafco.org with the subject line “K-State Olathe Proposal Comment” by 5:00 p.m. EDT on October 31, 2024.