Regulatory Changes in the Animal Feed Industry: Impacts for Innovators

October 1, 2024, saw the official end to the relationship between the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) in relation to their review of new animal food ingredients. According to the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), the FDA and AAFCO relationship was vital to building and maintaining confidence that U.S. animal food products are safe.

AFIA is concerned that this decision could raise costs and increase the length of time needed to approve new animal food ingredients, making the U.S. market less attractive for innovators. Therefore, AFIA has committed to working with both the FDA and AAFCO to ensure clear, timely and consistent review processes.

Another potential regulation change could make the U.S. more attractive for innovators by changing how non-nutritive benefits claims on feed labels are reviewed. Currently, those label claims are reviewed as drugs, not feed ingredients, leading to lengthy and costly reviews, and according to AFIA, many U.S. food innovators are looking abroad first instead of bringing the technology to U.S. farmers, ranchers and pet owners.

Since 2019, AFIA has been working to modernize the FDA’s review process; however, the FDA needs Congress to clarify its legal authority to do this. The Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (Innovative FEED) Act (S. 1842/H.R. 6687) would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to establish a new category of animal food additives — those which provide health or production benefits, reduce emissions, or address human food safety concerns. All animal food ingredients would still go through the rigorous food additive petition process before gaining market approval, ensuring the safety of animals and consumers. The Innovative FEED Act is currently with the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

If you’re not sure how these regulation changes will affect your business, give us a call and we’d be happy to discuss the changes with you.