ARLINGTON, VA. — The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) commended the Senate Committee of Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) for passing an amendment that contains language from the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development Act of 2023 (Innovative FEED Act). 

The Innovative FEED Act was introduced to the Senate on June 8, with the intention to establish a new category of animal food additives that do not provide nutritional benefits, but instead offer gut health benefits to animals, reduce environmental emissions, or address human food safety issues. Under the act, these substances would be regulated as food additives instead of drugs.

A new bill (S.1906) seeking to amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and create a time-limited approval pathway for certain drugs and biological products has passed the Senate HELP Committee in a an overwhelming 19-to-2 vote. The bill includes language from the Innovative FEED act that will modernize the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) process for regulating novel feed ingredients with non-nutritive benefits, according to the AFIA.

“Growing bipartisan support for a legislative solution proves that our nation’s elected officials are committed to bringing feed innovation to America’s farmers and ranchers,” said Constance Cullman, president and chief executive officer of the AFIA. “Now, our producers will soon be able to reap the benefits of feed products which contribute to improved animal nutrition, production and food safety and reduced environmental impacts, while competing in a global marketplace that has already marched on without the United States."

“On behalf of the AFIA and over 135 food and agriculture organizations and companies, we thank Senators Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) for introducing this amendment, and HELP Committee Chair Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) and Ranking Member Bill Cassidy(R-La.) for ushering it forward and urge the full Senate to quickly vote in favor of the legislation,” she added.

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