The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) announced that their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding FDA’s participation in the AAFCO feed ingredient definition process will not be renewed when it expires on Oct. 1, 2024.
For the past 17 years through the MOU (and informally before that time), FDA has provided scientific expertise related to the safety and utility of proposed feed ingredients submitted for approval within the AAFCO ingredient definition process.
FDA issued a notice today that it intends to publish a Request for Comments seeking public input on questions to help the agency re-evaluate its animal food pre-market programs. In addition, FDA intends to issue a CVM Update further detailing how the agency plans to handle the upcoming transition and providing detailed information about how stakeholders can provide input.
FDA also confirmed that it intends to publish two draft guidance for the industry related to the feed ingredient approvals and how FDA will characterize AAFCO-defined ingredients moving forward: 1) Animal Food Ingredient Consultation; and 2) Food and Drug Administration Enforcement Policy for Association of American Feed Control Officials-Defined Animal Feed Ingredients.
In response to the end of the MOU, AAFCO is considering establishing a new ingredient definition process that would utilize an expert panel to provide the necessary scientific review of proposed ingredients. AAFCO intends to vote on this concept during the AAFCO Annual Meeting on Aug. 7-9.
NGFA issued the following statement today regarding the end of the MOU:
“NGFA has strongly supported the long-standing relationship between FDA and AAFCO to define animal feed ingredients. The FDA/AAFCO ingredient definition process utilized federal and state expertise, along with stakeholder input, to ensure the safety and utility of ingredients, thereby protecting animal health, the safety of animal-based foods consumed by humans, and public health. FDA’s participation within the AAFCO process has been effective and yielded a comprehensive list of ingredients that promote a common understanding and acceptance within the industry, FDA and state regulators, consumers, and global trade partners. The process also provided harmonization between state and federal regulatory authorities that is vital.
“NGFA is disappointed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between FDA and AAFCO that facilitates their current partnership to define feed ingredients will not be renewed when it expires on Oct. 1, 2024. However, we look forward to engaging with both AAFCO and FDA regarding future ingredient approval processes that will support the U.S. animal food industry, facilitate innovation, ensure the safety and utility of ingredients, and protect public health.”