SILVER SPRING, MD. — The US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) opened registration for a public meeting on its role in the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) ingredient definition process. The virtual meeting will occur on Feb. 9, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).

Part of the FDA’s responsibilities includes reviewing of the safety of new and/or modified livestock and pet food ingredients. The reviews range in causes, from food and color additives to generally recognized as safe (GRAS) notices.

The agency also offers scientific and technical advice on new ingredients to help support AAFCO’s feed ingredient definition process as part of the FDA-AAFCO Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Though AAFCO’s ingredient definitions are not federal regulations, most states choose to incorporate AAFCO’s ingredients into their own laws.

During the public meeting, the FDA will discuss its relationship with AAFCO and explain the MOU and potential changes to its consultations with AAFCO. Also, during the meeting, AAFCO will showcase information about its association and how it collaborates with the FDA.

Stakeholders will be given opportunity to share their feedback and suggestions with the FDA as it seeks to improve its role in AAFCO’s ingredient definition process. The meeting only seeks to address how the FDA can improve its role in the ingredient process and will not address other issues on animal food regulation.

Learn more and register for the FDA-AAFCO meeting. Stakeholders interested in presenting, asking a question or providing feedback during the meeting should register no later than Jan. 12, 2023. The FDA will contact those interested in presenting by Feb. 1 with more information.

Following the meeting, the FDA will evaluate the its MOU with AAFCO and potentially amend CPG 665.100 Common or Usual Names for Animal Feed Ingredients.