FDA hosts virtual listening session on regulation of animal food

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is hosting a virtual listening session through its Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) department on October 18, 2022, at 10:00 am EDT. Registration is now open and the FDA encouraging interested individuals to register no later than October 11, 2022, at 11:59 pm EDT by completing the registration form on the event webpage. The listening session is scheduled to cover the Agency’s regulation of animal foods with certain types of claims such as environmental benefit claims (eg, reduced greenhouse emissions), production claims (eg, growth promotion and feed efficiency), and claims about effects on the animal microbiome.¹

The FDA is hoping to review and update its CVM Policy and Procedures Manual (PPM) 1240.3605, Regulating Animal Foods with Drug Claims² based on any new evolving scientific innovations. According to the policy, "animal feeds/foods" refers to feed for livestock, poultry, or other animals, and pet food.

The FDA encourages individuals interested in presenting on the topic of regulation of animal foods with certain types of claims during the virtual listening session to fill out and submit the registration form on the event webpage no later than September 20, 2022, at 11:59 pm EDT.

If you are unable to attend this particular session, during the Q1 of calendar year 2023, CVM intends to provide the public with additional opportunities to share input on other animal food-related topics such as the FDA’s role in the AAFCO ingredient definition process. Details on this are not yet finalized, but will be posted to the FDA’s website.

References

1. FDA announces virtual listening session on the regulation of animal foods with certain types of claims. News release. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Published August 30, 2022. Accessed September 6, 2022. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-announces-virtual-listening-session-regulation-animal-foods-certain-types-claims
2. Center for Veterinary Medicine Program Policy and Procedures Manual, Guide: 1240.3605. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Published September 1, 1998. Accessed September 6, 2022. https://www.fda.gov/media/69982/download