Pet industry welcomes $8 million FDA funding to accelerate feed ingredient reviews

The federal agency will allocate this funding approved by the House of Representatives to improve the review and approval process for animal food ingredients and to develop regulations on ingredient claims related to animal production, wellbeing, food safety and the environment.

This new funding is expected to have a positive impact on the pet food industry, which believes that it will help to accelerate FDA approval for new food ingredients.

For the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), this development puts the industry “more on par” with other countries that continue to move forward with safe ingredients to enhance the safety, quality, environmental impact and nutrition of feed and pet food.

“On average, studies have shown that it takes companies three to five years to get new ingredients through the FDA’s rigorous review process, which prevents innovation from making it to farmers and ranchers in a timely way,” noted American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) President Constance Cullman.

Latest innovations

On the same lines, Pet Food Institute (PFI) highlighted that these delays are also impacting negatively on innovation in the industry.

“It is critical that the U.S. has a regulatory framework that allows for the timely approval of pet food ingredients that represent the latest in nutrition science,” claimed PFI president Dana Brooks.

“The goal of pet food manufacturers is to develop recipes that deliver the nutrients our pets need to live long, healthy lives. A timely approval path allows manufacturers to make the latest innovations available to consumers as quickly as possible.”

Before being enacted, the bill must be voted on and passed in the Senate.

The FDA is responsible for regulating the manufacture of pet food, treats or snacks and needs to ensure that drugs for people and animals are safe, effective, properly manufactured, and adequately labeled and packaged.