AAFCO and FDA to end their collaboration for defining pet food ingredients

As of 1 October 2024, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will no longer collaborate.

This is the day that ends their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which outlines the responsibilities for defining animal feed ingredients, including those for pet food.

AAFCO will stop accepting new feed ingredient definition requests from 1 September as they require a month to work on.

Disappointment vs. opportunities

AAFCO expressed disappointment with the decision as both bodies have been partnering together for the past 17 years. However, Executive Director Austin Therrell notes they are committed to “being a conduit” between the FDA and state regulatory programs.

“This decision opens the doors for AAFCO to look at new and innovative solutions in the ingredient space and to seek out additional partners that can provide strong, science-based guidance to our state officials,” he admits.

Tracey Forfa, Director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), highlights that the relationship between both entities won’t end, but “it will be evolving.”

A stakeholder letter signed by Forfa states, “The expiration of the MOU presents an opportunity for FDA to begin a thorough evaluation of its pre-market animal food review programs, in hopes of adapting to better serve public health and the needs of all stakeholders.”

Industry reactions

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) states they are “disheartened” by the news.

They believe the end of the partnership may increase uncertainty in the regulatory review process and potentially make the US market less attractive for innovators as the ingredient approval process may now demand more time and money.

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) says that the partnership between AAFCO and the FDA has been “effective” as it promoted a “common understanding and acceptance within the industry, FDA and state regulators, consumers and global trade partners.”

Both AFIA and the NGFA look forward to engaging with the future ingredient approval process.

What’s next?

AAFCO and the FDA are currently working to provide a “seamless” transition. At the same time, the FDA is evaluating its pre-market animal food review programs to ensure that ingredients have a predictable path for market entry.

The US government agency has also formally begun the process of issuing Request for Comments (RFC) to seek public input on specific questions from stakeholders to determine the scope of changes needed.

The FDA intends to seek feedback on 2 draft guidance documents in the transition phase: “FDA Enforcement Policy for AAFCO-Defined Animal Feed Ingredients” and “Animal Food Ingredient Consultation (AFIC).”

After these formalities, the federal agency will update the public on its plans for handling the upcoming transition and if there will be any relevant changes in the ingredient review process.