Who regulates pet food?

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Who regulates pet food these days?

According to reporting from VIN News, the review system for new pet food ingredients in the U.S. is currently in flux.

This follows the dissolution of a long-standing partnership between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) which expired on October 1 of last year. The partnership was unique in that it combined federal regulatory oversight with the expertise of a private organization. The FDA, by law, regulates food safety for both humans and animals, while AAFCO, established in 1909, traditionally set standards for animal feed and pet food, although it lacks explicit legal authority.

The partnership was formalized in 2007 through a memorandum of understanding, allowing the FDA to serve as the scientific reviewer for AAFCO’s ingredient definitions. This collaboration aimed to streamline the approval process for new ingredients, ensuring safety and efficiency. However, the FDA decided not to renew the agreement, opting instead to handle reviews independently through a new process. This shift has led to the creation of two separate review pathways: one managed by the FDA and the other by AAFCO in collaboration with Kansas State University’s Olathe Innovation Campus.

AAFCO’s new partnership with Kansas State is touted to offer a more efficient and straightforward review process, with a target completion time of nine months, compared to the years it could take under the previous system. Despite the potential for faster approvals, concerns remain about the legal standing and safety assurances of the AAFCO-led process. The FDA’s role as the primary regulator is underscored by its legal authority, raising questions about the implications for businesses and consumers navigating these dual pathways. The evolving landscape of pet food regulation highlights the ongoing debate over efficiency versus regulatory rigor in ensuring the safety of animal feed products.

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Zoetis provides Librela Update

Librela has been under fire recently, and we know you’re up to speed because we’ve covered it extensively. Following large number of client complaints and class action lawsuits, the injectable monoclonal antibody designed to manage pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs by targeting and neutralizing Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), has received new labeling.

In response to the growing concerns, Zoetis has updated the U.S. label for Librela to include detailed information about these adverse events based on post-approval experience.

Now noted on the Librela website:

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VCA Closes Urgent Care Centers

VCA Animal Hospitals is closing 17 urgent care practices across five states, as reported by VIN News.

This marks a strategic shift from its initial expansion plans. This decision, influenced by market conditions and client demand, aims to enhance patient care and client experience across its network. The closures affect locations in Texas, California, Colorado, Illinois, and Arizona.

VCA, owned by Mars Inc., operates over 1,000 hospitals in the U.S. and Canada. This move reflects broader trends in the veterinary industry, where urgent care models are being re-evaluated. Competitors like Bond Vet and PetMedic continue to expand, indicating a competitive and evolving market. VCA’s decision may signal a shift towards more specialized or consolidated services, or an early indicator of things to come across the profession.

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Quick Hits

Here are some of the other stories that caught our eye and we're following this week from around the veterinary world and animal kingdom: