CHAMPAIGN, ILL. — The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) announced Oct. 1 that it is considering a new proposal from Kansas State University (KSU) on scientific reviews for the association’s new animal food ingredient pathway. The proposed pathway would replace AAFCO’s former Ingredient Definition Request process, which ended after AAFCO’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expired on Oct. 1. 

Back in August, the FDA and AAFCO shared that their MOU would not be renewed, throwing a wrench in the long-established ingredient review and definition process for the animal feed and pet food industries.

This proposal comes from KSU’s Olathe Innovation Campus (K-State Olathe). Under the proposal, K-State Olathe would manage the new ingredient review process for animal feed and pet food, with Haley Larson, Ph.D., assistant professor of animal health at K-State Olathe, leading the process. 

The process would include a scientific review panel consisting of subject matter experts from universities throughout the United States and independent consultants. The panel would evaluate potential ingredient submissions from the animal nutrition industry and provide recommendations to AAFCO membership for final approval. Approved ingredients would then be included in AAFCO’s Official Publication.

“AAFCO has been considering a number of pathway options to provide the animal feed industry with a thorough and innovative review process that can bring new ingredients to market safely and efficiently,” said Austin Therrell, executive director of AAFCO. “The proposal from K-State Olathe is scientifically driven, comprehensive and can be completed in half the time as the former review process we had in place.”

AAFCO is currently seeking comments and feedback from regulators and industry experts on K-State Olathe’s proposal. Comments should be submitted in writing and sent to aafco@aafco.org with the subject line “K-State Olathe Proposal Comment.” The association will accept comments until 5 p.m. EDT on Oct. 31.

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