The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and Kansas State University Olathe Innovation Campus launched the Scientific Review of Ingredient Submissions (SRIS) program, which is now accepting applications for new animal food ingredient definitions and modifications to existing definitions.
The program offers three submission levels: Basic Scientific Review, Full Submission Package and Expanded Submission Package. Submissions may be for new livestock or companion animal food ingredients or modifications to existing ingredients.
Eligible submissions must be non-proprietary, single ingredients with intended uses that do not mitigate, treat or diagnose disease, though they may prevent nutritional deficiencies. Ingredients must provide nutrition, flavor and aroma for animals or provide a technical effect in feed. New ingredients cannot already be listed in Chapter 6 of the AAFCO Official Publication.
Expert review panel
AAFCO and the SRIS team, led by Haley Larson, Ph.D., and Garret Ashabranner, Ph.D., both of K-State Olathe, will evaluate initial submissions based on intended use, target animal species and potential impact on human food products, then assign a submission package level.
An Expert Review Panel will evaluate the safety and intended use of the ingredient and provide recommendations to AAFCO membership for final approval. Once approved, ingredient definitions will be added to AAFCO's Official Publication, which is recognized by the animal food industry and state and international regulatory agencies.
"The collaborative effort between AAFCO and K-State Olathe offers a time efficient scientific assessment of the safety of animal food ingredients," Larson said. "We have successfully recruited a group of key thought leaders representing all aspects of the animal nutrition field. These industry experts are a critical piece of how SRIS will uphold rigorous safety and scientific standards, while meeting the industry's demand for timely review of new ingredients."
Expert Review Panels will include two to five subject matter experts with expertise in ingredients, chemistry and manufacturing technologies; human food safety; and nutrition of relevant animal species. Panelists will be drawn from a pool to ensure balance of expertise, maintain independence and avoid conflicts of interest.
The program is based on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Generally Recognized as Safe Notice program. It is the only regulatory process that provides formal review of animal food ingredient definitions that neither FDA's Food Additive Petition or GRAS pathways fulfill.
"The SRIS program demonstrates that thoroughness and efficiency can come together without compromising safety standards or scientific integrity," said Austin Therrell, executive director of AAFCO. "Unlike the federal processes, SRIS' 60- to 90-day review clock will stop and start when dialogue or answers are needed without restarting the review time from the beginning."
Animal food manufacturers can learn more about SRIS and submission requirements on the program's website. Initial inquiries should be submitted to AAFCO at [email protected].
