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FDA introduces new pathway for animal food ingredient reviews

21 January 20252 min reading

The US FDA’s new Animal Food Ingredient Consultation (AFIC) program streamlines regulatory pathways, replacing the AAFCO process and enhancing safety and transparency in animal food ingredient development.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has unveiled a new guidance, GFI #294, introducing the Animal Food Ingredient Consultation (AFIC) program. This initiative provides firms developing animal food ingredients with a voluntary consultation pathway to ensure safety standards, replacing the longstanding Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) ingredient definition process, which ended on October 1, 2024.

The AFIC program addresses gaps in the current system by offering a streamlined process for reviewing new ingredients while enhancing public awareness and input. As part of the transition, the FDA is also evaluating its Food Additive Petition and Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) programs to identify opportunities for greater efficiency. According to the FDA, AFIC will help prevent delays and establish consistent standards, supporting firms previously reliant on the AAFCO process.

Constance Cullman

“This guidance represents a significant step forward,” said Constance Cullman, CEO of the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA). Cullman praised the program as a positive development, emphasizing its potential to meet the diverse needs of the animal nutrition sector.

This change is expected to provide greater clarity for ingredient developers, ensuring robust safety standards while fostering innovation in the feed industry.

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