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FDA Letter to Stakeholders: Acknowledgment of Expiring FDA-AAFCO MOU

August 2, 2024

Dear Stakeholder,

I am writing today to offer you a preview of steps FDA intends to take in the transition phase after our longstanding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) expires on October 1, 2024. 

The relationship between FDA and AAFCO is not ending, but it will be evolving. FDA will continue to participate in AAFCO committees and meetings and work closely with AAFCO and states to help ensure the safety of the animal food supply.

The expiration of the MOU presents an opportunity for FDA to begin a thorough evaluation of its pre-market animal food review programs, in hopes of adapting to better serve public health and the needs of all stakeholders.

To help us understand those needs, FDA intends to issue a Request for Comments (RFC) seeking public input on specific questions to help us determine what’s working, what’s not, and what changes may be needed. FDA has informally begun this process through public listening sessions and stakeholder meetings and believes now is the appropriate time to re-evaluate how FDA conducts its animal food pre-market programs. 

In addition, FDA intends to issue two draft guidance documents relevant to the upcoming transition phase – Draft GFI #293: FDA Enforcement Policy for AAFCO-Defined Animal Feed Ingredients and Draft GFI #294: Animal Food Ingredient Consultation (AFIC).

FDA intends to create dockets to receive public comments on the RFC and two draft guidances when they are released. At that time, FDA also intends to issue a CVM Update further detailing how the agency plans to handle the upcoming transition and providing detailed information about how stakeholders can provide input.

I, and the rest of FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, thank you for your patience and cooperation while this continues to unfold. We hope to have more information to share soon and will look forward to hearing your feedback when the dockets open. 

Sincerely,

Tracey Forfa, J.D., M.Div.
CVM Center Director

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