SRIS Now Accepting Applications for Animal Food Ingredients

AAFCO and K-State Olathe’s new review pathway is now open to receive submissions.

The Scientific Review of Ingredient Submissions (SRIS) program is now accepting applications for new animal food ingredient definitions and modifications to existing ingredient definitions. The SRIS program, a collaborative partnership of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and Kansas State University Olathe Innovation Campus (K-State Olathe), is offering three submission levels: Basic Scientific Review, Full Submission Package and an Expanded Submission Package.

Submissions may be for a new livestock or companion animal food ingredient or modification to an existing ingredient. Submissions must:

• Be non-proprietary, as not to favor one ingredient manufacturer over another;
• Be a single ingredient and not a combination of ingredients;
• Include an intended use that is not to mitigate, treat or diagnose a disease (though it may prevent a nutritional deficiency);
• Provide nutrition, flavor and aroma for the animal or provide a technical effect in the feed; and
• Not be included in the current list of ingredients published in Chapter 6 the AAFCO Official Publication (for new ingredients only).

AAFCO and the SRIS team, led by Haley Larson, Ph.D., and Garret Ashabranner, Ph.D., both of K-State Olathe, will evaluate initial submissions based on the intended use of the ingredient, the animal species it is intended for and the potential impact it may have on human food products and assign a submission package level. Based on the evaluation, an Expert Review Panel will evaluate the safety and intended use of the ingredient and provide recommendations to AAFCO membership for final approval. Once approved, the ingredient definition will be added to AAFCO’s Official Publication, which is recognized by the animal food industry and state and international regulatory agencies as the most comprehensive list of approved feed ingredients worldwide.

“The collaborative effort between AAFCO and K-State Olathe offers a time-efficient scientific assessment of the safety of animal food ingredients,” said Larson. “We have successfully recruited a group of key thought leaders representing all aspects of the animal nutrition field. These industry experts are a critical piece of how SRIS will uphold rigorous safety and scientific standards, while meeting the industry’s demand for timely review of new ingredients.”

Expert Review Panels will be comprised of two to five subject matter experts with expertise in a diverse range of ingredients, chemistry and/or manufacturing technologies; human food safety; and nutrition of the animal species relevant to the proposed ingredient definition. Panelists will be drawn from a pool to ensure balance of expertise, maintain independence and avoid conflict of interest.

The SRIS program is based off the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) current Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) Notice program, providing the animal food industry with an additional option for introducing new and innovative products to the market. It is also the only regulatory process that provides a formal review of animal food ingredient definitions that neither FDA’s Food Additive Petition (FAP) or GRAS pathways fulfill.

“The SRIS program demonstrates that thoroughness and efficiency can come together without compromising safety standards or scientific integrity,” said Austin Therrell, executive director of AAFCO. “Unlike the federal processes, SRIS’ 60 to 90-day review clock will stop and start when dialogue or answers are needed without restarting the review time from the beginning.”

Animal food manufacturers can learn more about SRIS and the submission requirements on the program’s website. Initial inquiries should be submitted to AAFCO at definitions@aafco.org.

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. Learn more at aafco.org.

About K-State Olathe

Located in Greater Kansas City and the heart of the Animal Health Corridor, K-State Olathe is one of the university’s three campuses and has focus areas of animal health, food and nutrition, and advanced manufacturing. Its land-grant mission is to provide industry-driven academic programs and professional development offerings, and leverage applied research –to improve wellbeing and drive economic growth.