ROCKVILLE, MD. — On Jan. 6, the US Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) shared it had finalized Guidance for Industry (GFI) #294 on the interim process for Animal Food Ingredient Consultations (AFIC). Through the AFIC process, companies will be able to consult with the FDA on animal food ingredients to ensure the safety of the ingredients.
GFI #294 builds upon the FDA’s GFI #293, which was finalized in October 2024 and details how the administration would handle ingredients listed in the AAFCO Official Publication. These GFIs follow the expiration of the FDA’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
This finalized GI #294 will serve as an interim process, allowing the agency to conduct voluntary consultations with firms and companies developing animal food ingredients. Through the process, animal food ingredient producers will be able to submit data demonstrating the safety of ingredients for the FDA’s evaluation. This will help ensure ingredient safety standards are met before market entry and help companies that would have originally utilized the AAFCO ingredient definition process.
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) expressed its support in the AFIC process, sharing that it “marks a shift for the regulation of animal food” and would offer an alternative pathway for animal food producers.
“The AFIA strongly advocated for a clear, modern FDA process that balances regulatory oversight with industry flexibility, and we are pleased to see that several of our recommendations are reflected in this new FDA guidance,” said Constance Cullman, president and chief executive officer of the AFIA. “Moving forward, we will work closely with the FDA to ensure that this program is efficient, inclusive and capable of accommodating the diversity of ingredients essential to animal nutrition.
“With our members’ input, we will continue to advocate for a streamlined and adaptable approach, allowing the industry to innovate and bring safe, high-quality ingredients to the market faster,” she added. “This guidance is a step forward, and we look forward to supporting its effective implementation.”
Learn more about the finalized AFIC process.
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