Ingredient Approval Pathways with guests: Dr. Kathy Gross, Dr. Haley Larson and Dr. Garret Ashabranner, Kansas State University

Dr. Larson gave a presentation about the two new pathways for ingredient approval. She gives an overview of the background of ingredient approval, including the recent dissolution of the MOU between FDA and AAFCO, which had been a partnership for the old AAFCO ingredient definition process. The two new pathways are AFIC (Animal Feed Ingredient Consultation) and SRIS (Scientific Review of Ingredient Submissions). AFIC is a temporary FDA program launched in 2025 while the Food Additive Petition and Generally Recognized as Safe programs are under review. SRIS is a collaboration between AAFCO, which is made up of state feed control officials across the USA,  and Kansas State University that provides a scientific review of new ingredient dossiers. (9:26) Dr. Gross talks about some of the audience questions after Dr. Larson’s presentation, centered around old versus new approval processes. Dr. Ashabranner notes that the K-State group is amassing a database of subject matter experts to review dossiers in their area of expertise, which will provide a quicker turnaround than has been experienced in the past. Dr. Larson emphasizes the importance of these subject matter experts and provides information on how to apply to be included in the database. When a new ingredient submission comes, it goes to the AAFCO Ingredient Definitions Committee, which works with the firm to create the initial definition that will be passed to SRIS for subject matter experts to review. The reviewers provide their recommendations and Dr. Ashabranner writes a summary recommendation report that is then provided to the AAFCO membership for voting. (15:35) Dr. Altom gives some guidance on choosing which pathway is appropriate for a particular ingredient. Dr. Ashabranner expands on what the application process looks like for SRIS. Panelists strongly emphasize the importance of having a complete and thorough application for a smooth review process that takes as little time as possible. (26:50) Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (40:00) Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal virtual pub table.   If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to [email protected]. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.