Monday, September 20, 2021

AAFCO Calls For Hemp Industry Action On Hemp Products In Animal Food

Additional research on hemp will allow AAFCO to formally define ingredients and provide standards for safe animal feed.

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When the data collection is complete, AAFCO can formally define the various ingredients and use this information to provide standards for safe pet and cattle feed. The AAFCO Guide to Submitting New Ingredient Definitions (Chapter 6) can be downloaded here.

Susan M. Hays, AAFCO Managing Director, said, “We know the hemp industry is eager to enter the pet food market, but we are concerned that not enough research has been completed on these products. For this reason, we urge the hemp industry to conduct research and, as a normal step in our ingredient approval process, submit their results to us for review. “

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the cultivation of hemp, but all feed ingredients, including hemp products, come under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is not yet known whether hemp products can be safely fed to all animal species. Research is needed to examine the levels of THC and other cannabinoids in hemp and what effects the content will have on the intended uses and species.

Thorough scientific research must be carried out on every ingredient to be used in animal feed to ensure its nutritional and safety benefits. “Allowing hemp by-products to be used in animal nutrition before rigorous research and regulatory approval processes are completed could have negative effects on ranchers’ market access, animal health and ultimately human health, if hemp-fed animal products are included in human food get chain “, emphasized Hays.

Recently, proponents of hemp in feed have focused on passing state laws to allow the use of hemp as a feed ingredient in the states, despite a lack of national approval due to an extensive scientific review of its safety.

AAFCO fears that bringing hemp products to market through a federal patchwork of laws without the support of in-depth research and a formal review process will result in inconsistent manufacturing methods, unsupported marketing claims across the country, and restrictions on interstate and international markets.

AAFCO encourages lawmakers to work with key stakeholders such as the FDA, the United States Department of Agriculture, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, livestock and dairy associations, consumer advocacy groups, and AAFCO itself as part of the formal review and approval process for hemp and its by-products for animal nutrition. AAFCO can guide hemp producers through the filing and review process.

AAFCO’s position paper on hemp and hemp by-products in pet food is presented here. Current (2020) AAFCO guidelines on hemp in animal feed can be found here. For more information or inquiries, email [email protected].

ABOUT AAFCO

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a 501 (c) (5) membership of state, state, and international animal feed control officials who abide by state and federal laws for making animal feed products to promote animal and public health and security. For more than 110 years, AAFCO members have worked to provide definitions for animal feed ingredients that are scientifically proven to be safe for their specific species and the intended use of an ingredient in an animal nutrition product. AAFCO develops and publishes ingredient definitions, labeling standards and laboratory guidelines, and its annual official publication is used by animal feed authorities and the animal nutrition industry worldwide as the authoritative guide to US-approved feed ingredients. More information is available at AAFCO.org.

SOURCE Association of American Feed Control Officers

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source https://www.bisayanews.com/2021/09/20/aafco-calls-for-hemp-industry-action-on-hemp-products-in-animal-food/

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