UNITED STATES | Cat and dog food manufacturers in the United States welcomed a new federal bill designed to harmonize the regulatory process for product approval. Instead of the current state-by-state framework, the bill would create more uniform standards across the country.
The Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2024, also known as the PURR Act, regulates manufacturing processes in and around facilities to ensure that pet food is handled and produced in a clean environment. This includes careful monitoring of fresh ingredients and minimizing the risks associated with natural toxins, pathogens and other contaminants.
Opponents have raised concerns about this rule change, fearing it could negatively impact food safety and reduce label transparency.
The CEO of the Pet Food Institute, Dana Brooks, commented that despite the concerns, regulators will still have an effective model to follow as they follow the regulatory system for human food.
The proposed bill would see the US FDA assume regulatory authority over the labeling and food ingredient review process for pet food and treats, creating a regulatory framework similar to that for food. of man.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture oppose this bill, saying the new rules would allow manufacturers to distribute products as safe without government authority. which verifies ingredients or nutritional statements.
Since state feed programs are the first line of defense protecting consumers, this new bill could remove an important layer of consumer protection from the process.
AAFCO is particularly concerned with the “ingredients sometimes present” language included within the bill, which mandates that manufacturers use words such as ‘and, ‘or’, or ‘contain a or more of the following’.
This law would allow manufacturers to change or remove ingredients without disclosing nonessential information to consumers. For owners with pets with allergies or dietary requirements, this can be dangerous.
The Pet Food Institute maintains that the PURR Act is necessary to provide consistency and a predictable regulatory framework within the industry.
Several states have issued letters of disapproval regarding these new rules following this decision.
Despite the backlash, Brooks remains steadfast in his belief that the new federal law will replace the current inefficient one and lead to new, high-quality ingredients in pet food.
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