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In the U.S. and Canada , the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) sets standards for pet food. These include nutritional, labeling, and manufacturing standards. I didn’t understand what AAFCO was until I was appointed as an advisor to two of AAFCO’s many committees. I started attending AAFCO meetings in 1999, and discovered that nothing I had read in books, magazines, or on the internet about it was true.

AAFCO

Like many people, I'd heard that AAFCO was nothing but a “puppet” of the pet food industry. Or worse, it was involved in a sinister conspiracy. After all, if you look in the AAFCO Official Publication you will find a list of advisors who work for various contributors to the pet food industry. (The AAFCO "Official Publication" (OP) is for sale to any interested person. Or, better, you can purchase access to the "Feed Bin" where you can find a digital OP and a whole lot of other stuff.)

Pet food company employees abound at AAFCO meetings. But when you see them at the committee table at meetings, they wear a different hat. All committee advisors must represent non-profit organizations, regardless of where they work. For example, there are representatives from:

North American Renderers Association
National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA)
Corn Refiners Association
National Pork Producers
National Bison Association
Salt Institute
American Feed Industry Association (AFIA)
... and many others who supply the ingredients and equipment used to make animal feeds and pet foods.
No wonder, then, that when I walked into my first meeting in 1999, I felt very much like a lamb trotting into the lion’s den!

Association reps (like me) are only advisors. We can attend the meetings, speak on any issue, and sit at the committee table. But state and federal government regulators are the only ones who can vote.

The state regulators are the Feed Control Officials. They register, license, monitor, and test animal feeds and pet foods sold in their states. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sends several representatives to AAFCO. Pet food is governed under the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act. FDA has the last word on many issues. Occasionally, someone from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows up, too.

What do the state regulators do? They work in their state's department of agriculture or similar agency. They are responsible for enforcing that state’s laws with regard to animal feeds and pet foods. They register pet foods sold in their states. They may conduct label reviews and enforce legal standards.

Most states have laboratory services available to analyze feed components, including pet food. The regulator buys a bag of food at the grocery or pet store and sends a sample of it to the lab. The lab tests for crude protein, fat and fiber, and any other ingredients guaranteed on the label. The regulators then compare the lab results with the label guarantees.

Foods failing to meet their Guaranteed Analysis may be penalized. If the violation is severe, the food may be withdrawn from the market in that state. But the variance is usually small, and there is no penalty.

Advisors have no power over what AAFCO does. We may have a little influence on how regulators vote. But mostly, we comment on issues that involve our various areas of expertise. We can serve on smaller “working groups” in which we do get a vote. The working groups then present recommendations to the committees, where, again, only regulators vote. I’ve served on about a zillion working groups. They can be quite interesting!

The relationships among AAFCO members and advisors are generally collegial. But AAFCO does not simply rubber-stamp whatever pet food industry participants want. Just ask the National American Renderers Association, which tried to get the name of “poultry by-products” changed (twice!). The term had become objectionable to many consumers. They wanted to change it to something less descriptive (i.e., more deceptive). AAFCO rejected it both times. Or ask the Pet Food Institute, which lost its battle against requiring a calorie statement on pet food labels.

The AAFCO folks themselves are rather extraordinary individuals. They volunteer to take on AAFCO responsibilities in addition to their normal full-time jobs. Their regular duties can’t be neglected; they have to do it all. There’s no hazard pay, no overtime (even for weekend meetings), and no bonus. These folks are doing their best to make rules that are sensible and fair.

Consumer representatives started attending AAFCO meetings in the 1990s. No doubt the pet food industry got away with more before that. One facet of AAFCO's mission is consumer protection, but it's easier to remember that when consumers are sitting in front of them. B.C. Henchen represents the Association for Truth About Pet Food. Mollie Morrissette (of PoisonedPets.com), and I represent the Pet Welfare Alliance.

It’s also good for the pet food industry folks to see us at the meetings. They know they’re being held accountable. If the AAFCO folks need a little nudge to their consciences, we're happy to do the pushing.

*Note: Susan Thixton was removed from her advisory position in 2017 due to comments she made on her blog. She offended some AAFCO members. But the Association still has its advisory position.