Scientific Review of Ingredient Submissions
Get started on a review
Do you have a new ingredient definition you’d like to propose or modify? Get started on your application by submitting your idea to AAFCO’s Ingredient Definition Committee. There you will work with AAFCO representatives to determine which package level you will need to submit under.
Basic Scientific Review
- Needed for modification* of an AAFCO definition that requires a scientific review from qualified subject matter experts.
- Includes review by a maximum of 2 reviewers.*
$10,000
Per ingredient
* Modification, when used within this process, means any type of change to an AAFCO definition that is scientific in nature and needs to be supported by appropriate data to substantiate the change. This change may result in altering the composition of an ingredient that is publicly available in the market.
Full Submission Package
This package includes:
- Data to support approval for 1-2 species of animals.
- Review by a minimum of 2 reviewers.*
$25,000
Per ingredient
* Extra reviewers may incur an additional $5,000 cost per reviewer and may require an additional 10-15 days of review time. AAFCO and K-State Olathe will determine the number of reviewers required for each submission during the AAFCO investigator review period.
Expanded Submission Package
This package includes:
- Data to support approval for 3+ species of animals
- Review by a minimum of 3 reviewers.*
$35,000
Per ingredient
* Extra reviewers may incur an additional $5,000 cost per reviewer and may require an additional 10-15 days of review time. AAFCO and K-State Olathe will determine the number of reviewers required for each submission during the AAFCO investigator review period.
How new ingredients are reviewed
An overview of the ingredient submission process
In the U.S., all ingredients in animal food are reviewed and approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, or AAFCO. This independent organization has been guiding state, federal and international feed regulators with ingredient definitions, label standards and laboratory standards for more than 110 years. As such, every new and modified ingredient must undergo a rigorous scientific review before it can reach the market.
Approved ingredients appear in AAFCO's Official Publication each October and are included in the Online Database of Ingredients, which is updated twice a year. The AAFCO Official Publication is used to inform the industry of the following:
- Approved US animal feed and pet food ingredient definitions.
- Current pet food and animal feed labeling requirements.
- Model guidance documents and model bill and regulations that may be adopted by states as state laws.
- Committee members and industry advisers to AAFCO committees.
Kansas State University's Olathe Innovation Campus (K-State Olathe) partners with AAFCO by organizing the scientific review of all newly submitted animal food ingredients for AAFCO.
Submissions are reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts from universities and independent consultants across the U.S. Panelists have expertise in ingredients, processing and nutrition for species of interest for the proposed new ingredient definition. This panel evaluates potential ingredient submissions according to FDA GRAS approval process and provides recommendations back to AAFCO membership for a final approval vote. Approved ingredients will then be included in AAFCO's Official Publication, which is considered the most comprehensive list of approved feed ingredients in the world, and recognized by state, international regulatory agencies and the animal food industry.
How the review process works
A timeline for the review
From start to finish, this entire review process will typically take 9 months for an approved ingredient.
Step 1
Once the new product request has been submitted...
Submissions are sent to AAFCO investigators, who will review the submission in a 30-day window. If a proposal is determined not to be applicable, it will be rejected, ending the submission process. If the request is found viable, it will proceed to the K-State Olathe scientific review panel.
Step 2
Scientific review begins...
Experts on the K-State Olathe scientific review panel will evaluate the submitted ingredient. The panel will prepare a final report of recommendation or rejection for the proposed new ingredient. The report, which is given to AAFCO, details the panel's findings, supporting scientific evidence and their suggestion. This review process will take 60-90 days.
Optional — During this 60–90-day review timeframe, a pre-consultation meeting between the client who submitted the proposed ingredient and the program manager for K-State Olathe's review process can be conducted over Zoom.
An expedited timeline
Historically, the new ingredient review process has taken 18 months from submission until approval or rejection. The K-State Olathe process takes 9 months.
Step 3
The review is sent to AAFCO...
Once the proposed ingredient is reviewed, the scientific review panel will send its recommendation to AAFCO. If a submission is not recommended, the proposed ingredient will not be approved. If the submission is recommended, it will continue on to further review.
Step 4
AAFCO votes on the results...
AAFCO votes on whether the submission can become an ingredient. If approved, the ingredient will appear in AAFCO's Official Publication.
Join the team
Become a reviewer
If you have expertise in food or companion animals, food microbiology, grains, extrusion and milling, alternative proteins and related fields, we're interested in having you join or panel of subject matter experts. Complete the information using the button below to get started.