AAFCO and Kansas State University Launch SRIS Program for Animal Food Ingredient Review
In a significant move to enhance the safety and innovation within the animal food sector, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and Kansas State University Olathe Innovation Campus have unveiled the Scientific Review of Ingredient Submissions (SRIS) program. This collaborative endeavor is now actively receiving applications for the approval of novel animal food ingredients and revisions to current ingredient definitions. The program is structured with three distinct submission tiers: Basic Scientific Review, Full Submission Package, and Expanded Submission Package, accommodating ingredients intended for both livestock and companion animals.
The SRIS program is meticulously designed to review non-proprietary, singular ingredients whose proposed uses are for nutritional provision, flavor enhancement, or aroma contribution in animal feed. Crucially, these ingredients must not be intended to mitigate, treat, or diagnose diseases, though they may play a role in preventing nutritional deficiencies. Ingredients that are already cataloged in Chapter 6 of the AAFCO Official Publication are not eligible for submission. An Expert Review Panel, co-led by Dr. Haley Larson and Dr. Garret Ashabranner from K-State Olathe, will initially assess submissions based on their intended application, target animal species, and potential impact on human food products, subsequently determining the appropriate submission package level.
Following the initial assessment, the Expert Review Panel, comprising two to five specialists in areas such as ingredients, chemistry, manufacturing, human food safety, and animal nutrition, will rigorously evaluate the safety and suitability of the ingredient. Their recommendations will then be presented to the AAFCO membership for final endorsement. Once an ingredient definition receives approval, it will be integrated into the AAFCO Official Publication, a recognized standard by both the animal food industry and regulatory bodies globally. This program mirrors the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Generally Recognized as Safe Notice program and offers a unique regulatory pathway that complements existing FDA processes by providing a more efficient, yet thorough, review for animal food ingredient definitions.
This initiative represents a pivotal step towards fostering innovation while upholding stringent safety and scientific benchmarks in the animal food industry. By streamlining the review process, the SRIS program not only facilitates the timely introduction of beneficial ingredients but also reinforces a commitment to the well-being of animals and the confidence of consumers. It exemplifies how collaboration and robust scientific review can collectively drive progress and set new standards in an essential industry.