On January 22, 2025, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) membership approved a proposal from Kansas State University’s Olathe Innovation Campus (Olathe) to provide the scientific review for a new animal food ingredient submission pathway. The new pathway replaces AAFCO’s former Ingredient Definition Request process that ended due to the expiration of AAFCO’s Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The new ingredient approval pathway will include a scientific review panel comprised of subject matter experts from US universities and independent consultants that have diverse experience in various processes, animal nutrition, and target animal species. The expert panel will evaluate potential ingredient submissions from industry and provide recommendations back to AAFCO membership for final approval. Approved ingredients will then be included in AAFCO’s Official Publication.

According to AAFCO, the new pathway is intended to complement FDA’s current GRAS Notice program and to provide the feed industry with another option to “bring new and innovative products to market.” The format of the submission will be similar to a GRAS Notice and there will be a three tier fee schedule associated with the review dependent on the complexity of the submission. AFFCO anticipates having the program in place by May 2025.

Keller and Heckman LLP will continue to monitor and communicate on any developments.