Thank you to all who attended the Midyear Meeting in Little Rock a couple of weeks ago. We had 380 people attend in-person and virtually. Here are some highlights from the meeting.

Membership Approved New Animal Food Ingredient Pathway
AAFCO membership approved a proposal from Kansas State University’s Olathe Innovation Campus to provide the scientific review for a new animal food ingredient submission pathway. The new pathway streamlines and enhances regulatory reviews, ensuring ingredients reach the market safely and more efficiently than before.

New AFIC Language for the OP
Membership also approved language to include new ingredients from the FDA's Animal Food Ingredient Consultation (AFIC) process in the OP.

New AAFCO Technical Assistance Network Approved
A new Technical Assistance Network (TAN) tool will allow industry and regulators to seek formal interpretations from AAFCO. A link will be available once the board of directors approves the TAN next month. 

Ingredient Approvals
Membership also approved new ingredients, including:

       • Dried Mealworm Meal – for adult dogs

       • Dried Crickets – for adult dogs

       • Black Soldier Fly Larvae Oil – for adult cats

       • Clam Meal, Shellfish, and Alligator – for multiple species

The 2025 AFRPS Face-to-Face Meeting is coming up quickly! This year's Meeting will include an important session on Animal Food Related Emergencies. The hotel room block and registration deadline is February 16. Hurry and reserve your spot today!

We are opening up registration and offering a discount to encourage AFRPS states to send more than two participants (as required by the grant deliverables).

Registration for first two participants: $225 per person

Registration for additional participants (3 or more): $50 per person

AAFCO's success comes from the collaboration, involvement, and hard work of our members and industry partners. We need your help and support to continue advancing the health and safety of the animal food industry for the next 115 years. Watch and learn how you can get involved.

The 2025 Official Publication, which includes the new Model Regulations for Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food, is now available for purchase.

The USDA has published its Organic Pet Food Standards. The amended standards clarify labeling requirements for organic pet food as well as the use of certain synthetic substances, including taurine, in organic pet food.

Final Guidance on Animal Food Ingredient Consultation (AFIC)

FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) recently issued its final guidance on GFI #294: Animal Food Ingredient Consultation (AFIC). The AFIC process will provide an additional way for industry to consult with the FDA regarding animal food ingredients and for the FDA to review the safety of such ingredients. 

Cat and Dog Food Manufacturers Required to Consider H5N1 in Food Safety Plans

On January 17, 2025, the FDA announced that it is necessary for dog and cat food manufacturers to reanalyze their food safety plans to include Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus (specifically H5N1) as a known or reasonably foreseeable hazard.

 AAFCO’s job opportunities site is a place for our members and industry partners to share available job openings from their organization, agency or university. Job postings listed on this website are submitted by the organization itself and are not endorsed by AAFCO.