AAFCO Shares Thoughts on HPAI Virus

AAFCO shares their thoughts regarding the purported link between the practice of feeding dried poultry litter to cattle and the spread of HPAI to dairy cows.

Following several media reports alleging that the use of dried poultry litter in dairy cattle diets has caused the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus to spread on dairy farms, Austin Therrell, executive director of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), shared the following statement:

“There are several news articles insinuating that poultry litter may be the culprit behind the spread of HPAI in U.S. dairy cattle. While it is theoretically possible, it is very unlikely the illness was spread through animal feed. It is important to share some insight into the important food safety protocols that are in place to make this accusation highly unlikely.

“The AAFCO Ingredient Definition Request Process is extremely rigorous and transparent. It includes a scientific review by the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, as well as approval from a majority of state regulators. This regulatory pathway takes into account many potential food safety hazards to ensure that ingredients that gain approval can be safely and effectively marketed for use in animal food in the U.S.

“Dried Poultry Litter or Waste has been approved as a commercial feed ingredient by AAFCO since 1982, and while it’s not widely used, poultry litter can be a great alternative for cattle to promote sustainability while still gaining a nutritional benefit for the animals,” shared Therrell.

In addition to a thorough ingredient review process, there are extensive preventive food safety measures required for all animal foods by the Food Safety Modernization Act. The AAFCO Official Publication reinforces these protocols by specifying that manufacturers of processed animal waste products are required to test and maintain records to show that products like dried poultry litter do not contain:

Drugs suspected or known to be used in the feed or as a therapeutic treatment of source animals.
Pesticides used on the source animal, facility and wastes for pest control.
Pathogenic organisms, at least to include Salmonella and E. coli.
Heavy metals: arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury and selenium, at least.
Parasitic larva or ova.
Mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin.

American Feed Industry Association’s (AFIA) President and CEO Constance Cullman reiterated the following on May 1, 2024: “U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has confirmed that based on what they know today, ‘wild migratory birds are believed to be the original source of the virus’ in dairy cattle, and their staff are further investigating cases where has spread between herds through cattle movements or into nearby poultry premises. On a call last week, USDA’s chief veterinary officer and deputy administrator for veterinary services confirmed to stakeholders that nothing leaves the infected premises of an HPAI-impacted poultry farm, including poultry litter or waste to be used for crop fertilizer or feed.

The FDA has also stated that it is ‘not aware of any data showing that the use of poultry litter in cattle feed is posing human or animal health risks that warrant restrictions on its use.’”

“AAFCO and its members are committed to working with the animal food industry, as well as producers across the U.S., to ensure that we continue to have the safest food supply in the world. Our vision is to be the trusted leader that safeguards animal and human health, and we will continue to do our part to make sure that hardworking American farmers do not have to worry about the safety of the products they are feeding their animals,” concluded Therrell.

About AAFCO

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has been guiding state, federal and international feed regulators with ingredient definitions, label standards and laboratory standards for more than 115 years, while supporting the health and safety of people and animals. Its members are charged by their state or federal laws to regulate the manufacture, sale and distribution of animal feeds and feed ingredients.