CHAMPAIGN, ILL. — Following the proposal of the new Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2024 (PURR Act), the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) expressed their concerns with the new law, saying it would reduce state oversight and authority that review the marketing and labeling of pet foods. The legislation was introduced in the House on Feb. 15.
The PURR Act, sponsored by the Pet Food Institute, seeks to modernize and streamline the current approach to how pet foods and foods are regulated. Under this new law, regulatory oversight will shift from a state-by-state basis to a federal level provided by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It would prohibit state governments from establishing, maintaining, implementing and enforcing any regulations related to the marketing and labeling of pet food.
AAFCO is concerned that the action could reduce label transparency, have negative effects for consumer protection, and threaten the safe promotion of pet food products.
“State feed programs are the first line of defense protecting consumers from fraudulent or mislabeled pet food products,” said Austin Therrell, executive director of AAFCO. “Today, many state regulators proactively inspect pet food labeling before products go on the market to ensure that any marketing claims on the label or packaging are accurate and have the necessary scientific data to prove the statements. Under the new PURR Act, this important layer of consumer protection will be completely lost.”
According to AAFCO, most state feed programs that regulate pet foods in the United States support the FDA by providing the agency with premarket reviews of labels to ensure that marketing claims are supported by data and not false or misleading to consumers. However, under the PURR law, manufacturers can distribute pet food products that “self-proclaim” as safe without any ingredients or nutritional claims being verified at the state level prior to the product being hit the consumer market.
Additionally, AAFCO also expressed its concerns with the “sometimes contains ingredients” language included in the PURR statute, which says manufacturers may use the phrases “and/or,” “contains one or more more than the following,” and so on on the packaging to indicate that an ingredient may not actually be in the formula. According to AAFCO, this would allow pet food manufacturers to change or remove ingredients without notifying consumers.
“Many consumers purchase pet foods and treats based on the dietary needs or allergen requirements of their pets,” Therrell said. “Lack of transparency will leave consumers not knowing which ingredients their pets can or can’t eat, leading to potential health risks.”
With all of this in mind, AAFCO believes that state governments should continue to work with the FDA under a national integrated food system, which will continue to allow the agency to draw on expertise and resources. of state feed programs. This current system, according to AAFCO, helps strengthen pet food safety inspections and protects consumers from unsafe and fraudulent products, as well as misleading advertising and marketing practices. – label.
“While there are certainly opportunities to improve efficiency and bring more innovation to the marketplace, it must be done in a safe and transparent manner,” concluded Therrell. “Engagement with states and those closely involved in the day-to-day administration of pet food products is necessary to truly create a modernized regulatory system.”
