Source: Pet Age
Recent changes in the collaboration between the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) will impact the regulation and approval of pet food ingredients. Since 2007, the two organizations worked under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), but this agreement will expire on October 1, 2024, leading to shifts in how ingredients are regulated.
The FDA maintains authority over animal food ingredients, while AAFCO, a voluntary organization, has no regulatory power. This creates a gap, as many pet food ingredients are currently approved through AAFCO’s processes. In response, the FDA has introduced interim guidelines, including the Animal Food Ingredient Consultation (AFIC) process, to provide transparency on ingredient safety. The FDA also seeks public input to improve ingredient approval processes. Meanwhile, AAFCO plans to continue its role in ingredient approval, even without FDA safety reviews. The Pet Food Institute supports efforts to modernize pet food regulations.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.petage.com/the-dissolved-aafco-fda-partnership-the-future-of-pet-food-safety/