CHAMPAIGN, ILL. and OLATHE, KS. — The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), in collaboration with the Kansas State University Olathe Innovation Campus (K-State Olathe), introduced a new ingredient review process named the Scientific Review of Ingredient Submissions (SRIS) program. 

The program plans to offer a fast and accurate scientific assessment of new animal feed and pet food ingredients that will be accepted by state regulators across the United States. Through the SRIS, prospective ingredients will undergo scientific evaluation at twice the speed of traditional methods while upholding rigorous scientific standards and transparency, according to AAFCO. 

Approved by AAFCO membership in January, K-State Olathe developed the new review process to create an environment that will benefit regulators, leaders in animal nutrition and the broader animal food community. AAFCO is set to begin accepting applications later this year. 

“The SRIS program marks a pivotal milestone in a new era of innovation and efficiency for the animal food industry,” said Austin Therrell, executive director of AAFCO. “We believe this accelerated approval process will promote scientific advancement and efficiency, while simultaneously maintaining the rigorous safety standards that our animals and consumers deserve.”

All ingredient submissions through this pathway will be directed to AAFCO, which will process them into an appropriate submission review package. Once a level is determined, the SRIS team at K-State Olathe, led by Haley Larson, Ph.D., will assemble the scientific review panel, which will consist of experts from universities across the United States and independent consultants. The panel will evaluate potential ingredient submissions and provide recommendations to AAFCO membership for final approval. 

Approved ingredients will then be added to AAFCO’s Official Publication, recognized as the most comprehensive list of approved feed ingredients worldwide by state and international regulatory agencies as well as the animal food industry, according to the association. 

“It’s an exciting time for the advancement of the safety and quality of animal food ingredients,” Larson said. “We are honored to contribute our scientific and technical expertise to a collaborative process that is safe, scientific and streamlined to meet the industry’s demand for new ingredients while upholding AAFCO’s unwavering standards for animal and human health.” 

The SRIS pathway is intended to complement the US Food and Drug Administration’s current Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) Notice program, providing the animal nutrition industry with an additional option for introducing new products to the market. It replaces AAFCO’s previous Ingredient Definition Request process, which ended with the expiration of AAFCO’s Memorandum of Understanding with the FDA last year.

Visit the new SRIS program website for updates and more information on the program. 

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