AAFCO notified us, the organization did something for consumers. AAFCO has dramatically lowered the cost of attending meetings for consumers.
Cost to attend an AAFCO Meeting for Industry: $575.00
Cost to attend an AAFCO Meeting for Consumers: $250.00
This is something we at AAFCO have been asking for – for years. And finally, they listened. But… is it too late?
AAFCO – Association of American Feed Control Officials – is an organization of State Feed Control Officials, employees of state governments. AAFCO Official Feed members have more than 100 years of written (state) laws governing pet food and animal feed, including nutritional requirements (nutrient profiles), laws on animal feed/food ingredient labeling and approvals.
Laws written by AAFCO have been adopted by US states, but not all states. That has resulted in variable state regulation of pet foods/animal feeds. As an example: one US state will allow a certain ingredient in pet food, another state will not. One state strictly checks the information on a pet food label, other states don’t check the label at all.
And for years AAFCO has continued to ignore pet food consumers, deliberately treating consumers and consumer representatives poorly while at the same time giving industry representatives the status of ‘intimate that friend’ – to have almost free reign of whatever they want.
AAFCO has been well aware of these issues for decades, but has continued to do their work the way they always have. They don’t seem to care that the world around them is changing, insisting that the ‘old ways’ of AAFCO will remain the same.
And then…AAFCO’s best friend (industry) took actions that could lead to the demise of the organization. The Pet Food Institute (the trade association representing the largest pet food manufacturers) has introduced a bill in Congress that would completely eliminate state regulation of pet food. The bill – the PURR Act – which includes NO benefits for consumers, is currently sitting in Congress. The future of AAFCO is waiting to be voted on…completely out of their control.
Does AAFCO strive to survive by doing something to benefit consumers? Or does AAFCO realize that their actions should consider pet food’s biggest stakeholders (consumers)? Has AAFCO realized that consumers aren’t so bad after all?
Personal opinion: regardless of why, it’s a good thing that AAFCO has lowered the cost of attending a meeting for pet owners. Thanks to AAFCO for this action.
More personal opinion: We (pet owners) really need state regulation of pet food. The future of the FDA’s sole regulation of pet food is concerning (to say the least). I encourage all pet owners to contact their Governor and State Representatives and encourage them to continue state regulation of pet foods and animal feeds.
For any pet owners who want to attend, the next AAFCO meeting is January 21 – 23, 2025 in Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, Click Here.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Buyer Beware of Author, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food
Become a member of our pet food consumer Association. The Association for Truth in Pet Food is a stakeholder organization that represents the voice of pet food consumers at AAFCO and the FDA. Your membership helps representatives attend meetings and raise consumer concerns with regulatory authorities. Click Here to learn more.
What’s in Your Pet’s Food?
Does your dog or cat eat dangerous substances? Chinese imports? Petsumer Report tells the ‘rest of the story’ in more than 5,000 cat foods, dog foods, and pet treats. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Click Here to preview the Petsumer Report. www.PetsumerReport.com
The 2024 List
List of Susan’s trusted pet foods. Click Here to learn more.
The 2024/25 Treat List
Susan’s List of trusted pet treat manufacturers. Click Here to learn more.
