Pet Food Processing - January 2025 - 30

REGULATORY
One of AFIA's many
priorities is to help
states adopt the
new pet food
labeling rules.
©lado2016-stock.adobe.com
financial burden on the pet food and feed sector, which
is a cost that ultimately impacts manufacturers' ability to
keep pet food and feed affordable for consumers. As the
2025 state legislative sessions approach, the AFIA will
continue to monitor bills that impose financial burdens
on consumers with little benefit to the regulation of the
industry or improved animal food safety. The association
will advocate for alternative funding methods, urging
state legislatures to engage their communities in supporting
these programs in other ways, such as through
special license plates and other philanthropic initiatives.
The AFIA continues to urge
all state legislators to adopt
AAFCO's modern pet food
labeling rules. "
Constance Cullman, American Feed Industry Association
Meanwhile, significant changes are also underway in the
pet food labeling sector. In January 2024, AAFCO, supported
by the AFIA, launched a multi-year effort to modernize
pet food labels to provide clearer nutritional information.
The updated pet food labels will now include a nutrition
facts box - like human food labels - that show calorie
content per unit, such as cup, can or biscuit, and actual
amounts of protein, fat, dietary fiber and carbohydrates. In
addition, manufacturers will be required to use an intended
use statement on the lower third of the principal display
panel; ingredient statements will use parentheticals and
common names; and handling and storage information
will be standardized with optional icons and headers.
The pet food industry has already begun implementing
the label changes, which will continue to be rolled out on a
state-by-state basis. While some changes will take effect in
2025, states have until 2029 to fully comply with these new
30 PET FOOD PROCESSING | Jan-Feb 2025 | www.petfoodprocessing.net
regulations, and the AFIA continues to urge all state legislators
to adopt AAFCO's modern pet food labeling rules.
Seeking a stable supply chain
US animal food manufacturers continue to voice concerns
around trade disputes that could threaten the resiliency
of the supply chain and their ability to continue
business operations. The AFIA has been urging the Biden
Administration and lawmakers to take prudent measures
regarding foreign suppliers, particularly where alternatives
are limited or not produced domestically, and will continue
this call in 2025 with incoming policymakers.
One area of focus has been on single-country suppliers
of essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids. China
currently dominates global production of many of these
critical nutrients, accounting for more than 70% of vitamin
production and significant portions of key amino acids, including
77% of lysine, 91% of threonine, 84% of valine and
27% of methionine used in the United States. Evaluating
the current supply chain and taking proactive steps to address
potential vulnerabilities is crucial to avoiding severe
impacts on US food security, animal welfare and the economic
outlook of the agricultural sector.
To mitigate these risks, the AFIA supports diversifying
the supply chain and strengthening domestic production
through such measures as tax incentives, grants
and other investment mechanisms, and prioritizing vitamins
and amino acids in national security discussions.
Strengthening domestic capabilities and fostering global
cooperation are essential to ensuring a secure, reliable
supply of these vital nutrients.
Boosting pet food exports
In 2025, the AFIA will continue leveraging the US
Department of Agriculture's Market Access Program
(MAP) to expand US pet food exports, particularly in
http://www.petfoodprocessing.net
Pet Food Processing - January 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pet Food Processing - January 2025
