Quarterly NewsletterQ2 2024 |
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A Letter from Our President |
Dear AAFCO Members, |
A lot has happened since we last spoke! We held our Midyear Meeting in Chattanooga, TN, and AFRPS Meeting in Mobile, AL. Both meetings provided thoughtful discussion on current issues and concerns in the animal feed industry, which led to new projects for AAFCO to undertake. |
A workgroup within the Inspection and Sampling Committee (ISC) has prepared a request for proposal to perform a bulk feed tote sampling study. This project follows AAFCO’s previous bagged probe sampling study and is part of an ongoing process to continue to review our field sampling procedures and make changes where necessary. The Current Issues and Outreach Committee (CIOC) formed a new workgroup to explore creating a Technical Assistance Network (TAN) for AAFCO members. States have always worked with one another to provide feedback on how a particular issue is handled in their respective state, and the TAN aims to formalize this process and provide interpretation from an AAFCO perspective. |
Of course, no newsletter would be complete without an update on Pet Food Label Modernization (PFLM). AAFCO recently worked with the National Ag Law Center to build a compilation of all state laws and regulations, which will be used to create a framework for how to best work with each individual state to achieve uniform adoption of PFLM. At this time, several states have begun the legislative process and AAFCO will continue to work with them to update their regulations. |
In addition to these new projects, AAFCO continues to monitor the multi-state outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) (H5N1) virus in dairy cattle. This case is unique because it marks the first instance of potential mammal to human transmission. AAFCO is working with the FDA to provide information to our state partners on any changes to guidance related to inspections of these facilities. |
We have several events on the calendar for this spring. The AAFCO Feed Administrators Seminar will be held the week of May 6 at the Cliffview Resort in Campton, KY, and it’s not too late to join us at this beautiful location! If you are looking for something more hands-on, the Advanced Inspector Training Seminar (AITS) is June 11–13 in Denver. Both events are great opportunities for networking with colleagues and continuing education. |
As the weather warms this spring, I hope you all get to take the time to get outside, breathe in some fresh air, and recharge your batteries. I’ll be spending my time with my hands in the dirt planting seeds. Take care and I look forward to seeing you again soon. |
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Sincerely, |
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Joshua Arbaugh President |
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AAFCO to Host Pet Food Seminar |
AAFCO is hosting a seminar about the newly revised Model Regulations for Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food and the ingredient definition process on April 29, 2024, at Petfood Forum in Kansas City. The Pet Food Seminar is geared to help pet food manufacturers understand the recent pet food labeling changes as well as: |
The differences between AAFCO ingredient definitions, GRAS notices, food additives and color additives; The options available when it’s time to submit a new ingredient for review; What a successful ingredient submission should include; The submission process and timeline for a response; and Overview of AAFCO and the FDA’s roles and how the two organizations work together. |
| Learn More & Register |
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AAFCO Shares Concerns for PURR Act |
H.R.7380, also known as the PURR Act, was introduced in Congress back in February with the intention of creating a more streamlined federal regulatory process that would prohibit state governments from directly or indirectly establishing, maintaining, implementing, or enforcing any authority or requirement relating to the marketing or labeling of pet food. AAFCO recently published its concerns around the proposed legislation and consumer protection in an Agri-Pulse opinion article. If your state’s agriculture leaders have questions or concerns about the PURR Act, we encourage you to share. |
| Read More |
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News From NASDA |
NASDA recently adopted a new policy advocating for consistency and transparency on pet food and pet food labels and opposed the PURR Act. NASDA membership also unanimously voted to support the revised Model Regulations for Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food at its Winter Policy Conference earlier this year. |
| Read More |
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Call for Speakers |
Interested in presenting at an upcoming AAFCO meeting or know someone who would be a great speaker for an AAFCO event? We are looking for experts for presentations, panel discussions and keynote speakers for the 2024 Annual Meeting in San Antonio as well as for future workshops, seminars and meetings. Speakers and presentations must be relevant to animal food in the United States. Submit a proposal, white paper or draft presentation to the Event Planning Workgroup for consideration. |
| Submit to be a Speaker |
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Update on the New E-Commerce Website |
The AAFCO Depot is coming soon! We are working through a few sales and shipping logistics with our vendors and will be launching the new e-commerce website soon. AAFCO apparel, custom manufactured triers and PPE will be available for sale later this spring. |
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Job Submission - AAFCO |
AAFCO’s Job Opportunities site is a great resource to recruit top talent in the animal feed and pet food industry. With more than 5,000 visitors per month, we can help get your available positions in front of inspectors, lab technicians and other management level folks across the country.
Industry partners! Post your first job listing with us for free during the month of April. Simply submit your job listing, we'll review and let you know when it's published. Available positions are also shared in our newsletter and on social media. |
| Submit Your Job Today |
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Current Job Opportunities |
Available positions are currently listed on the AAFCO Job Opportunities site. Please note that these openings are submitted by the hiring organization and are not endorsed by AAFCO. |
| View Job Opportunities |
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Ingredient Definition Committee Webinar |
April 18, 2024 | Virtual |
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Pet Food Seminar |
At Petfood Forum
April 29, 2024 | Kansas City, MO |
| Register |
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58th Annual Feed Administrator Seminar |
May 7-9, 2024 | Compton, KY For AAFCO Members Only |
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Advanced Inspector Training Seminar |
June 11-13, 2024 | Denver, CO For AAFCO Members Only
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| Register |
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Food Labeling Conference |
June 3-4, 2024 | Washington D.C
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Annual Meeting August 7-9, 2024
San Antonio, TX
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Feed Labeling Workshop
August 6, 2024
San Antonio, TX |
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Basic Inspector Training Seminar Fall, 2024
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New Era Virtual Public Meeting |
FDA recently released a constituent update and is holding a virtual public meeting on April 24 for FDA and stakeholders to share information and ideas to leverage data and technology to exponentially advance food safety under the New Era of Smarter Food Safety. AAFCO members and interested partners are invited to attend and share feedback specific to animal food. |
| Learn More |
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Leadership from the American Feed Industry Association, National Grain and Feed Association, North American Renderers Association and Pet Food Institute recently signed a letter in support of Pet Food Label Modernization and the recent Action Item that NASDA members unanimously passed at Winter Policy Conference. |
| Read More |
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We sat down with AAFCO Board Secretary and Treasurer, Ashlee-Rose Ferguson. |
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Why did you first get involved with AAFCO? |
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My boss at the time was Dr. Ali Kashani, who was and still is involved in AAFCO. I was interested to learn more, and Ali encouraged it. My first AAFCO meeting was actually a Feed Administrators Seminar in Gettysburg, PA. I thought that event was so well thought out and planned and the people were passionate, friendly, and welcoming. The first Annual or Midyear meeting you attend can be a lot because there’s so much going on but it’s not too difficult to pick up on the fact that AAFCO has a deliberative and collaborative structure for solving or preventing problems. So, I wanted to help on things where I saw a need or a gap. By my second deliberative meeting, I believe I came home with at least three workgroup assignments and haven’t regretted it since. |
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How has AAFCO contributed or played a role in your career? |
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As I was selected for Ali’s position after he retired, I knew AAFCO was there to provide this huge network of experts from every stakeholder group. I always learn something new at every AAFCO event that I am then able to bring back and apply it to my state. |
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What’s one thing you’d like to say to encourage members to get involved? |
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Every state that has animal feed laws, 49 out of 50 states, have some level of AAFCO model bill, regulations and ingredient definitions adopted. That means every state should be involved and have a voice. Animal food is a growing sector and has been predominantly interstate commerce for decades. AAFCO is the best mechanism to become more harmonized and modernized to better protect animal food safety and consumer protection. Being involved in AAFCO expands your impact. It does so much for your professional development, increases leadership skills, and builds your network. |
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What do you hope to see for AAFCO in the next 5 years? |
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Regulation should not be created in a bubble. AAFCO allows for all sectors to come together to develop standards for regulations and solve or prevent problems continuously and collaboratively through the years. I’d like to see increased awareness, understanding, and engagement of AAFCO with even more productivity and modernization. |
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Tell us about the pets or animals in your life. |
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Currently, I have three cats: Koca is an all-gray elusive creature who makes you earn her love. She is also known as the princess of darkness and pretty girl. Luna is a cream calico and if you give her chin scratches, you are friends for life. She is also known as Luna bee and butterball turkey. Mickey is a black and white talkative boy with a partial mustache. He is also known as cow-cat-fish and Mickey Doodle. We also have an almost two-year-old dog, Pepper, who is half rough collie, half German shepherd, and all energy. She is obsessed with meeting humans and other animals – think Doug from the movie “Up.” Throughout my life I have had the privilege to care for all kinds of animals including horses, turtles, guinea pigs, I even reared insects. I’m glad I get to do what I do for them. |
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