FDA and AAFCO extend MOU regarding animal food ingredient definitions.

  • Since 2007, FDA and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) have worked together under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to review and sanction the use of various animal food ingredients.  Currently, animal food ingredients may be marketed on the basis of a formal FDA regulatory status (e.g., an applicable regulation) or based on an ingredient definition listed in the AAFCO manual.
  • FDA and AAFCO have now acted to extend their MOU until October 2017.
  • The extension of the MOU coincides with FDA’s recent announcement of a new strategy to harmonize the regulation of animal food ingredients in the U.S.  Since it is likely to take some time for FDA to implement its new strategy, the extension of the MOU provides the industry with at least some assurance in the meantime that the AAFCO definition process will continue to be a viable option for animal feed manufacturers.