6 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE December 2025 Beginning in October 2026, a new modernized regulatory pathway is available to bring fresh and innovative animal food ingredients to the market in the U.S. Earlier this year, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) announced a partnership with Kansas State University’s Olathe Innovation Campus (K-State Olathe) to develop the new Scientific Review of Ingredient Submissions (SRIS) process. AAFCO and K-State Olathe laid out an aggressive plan to develop the novel process within one year; with both teams quickly getting to work setting up a collaborative steering committee that consisted of experienced state regulatory officials, retired U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) personnel, and key representatives from trade associations that represent the U.S. animal food industry. The steering committee worked continuously throughout the year to develop the process flow, conflict of interest requirements, timelines, submission guidance, and training material for subject matter experts. The result of that effort is a pathway that offers a fast and accurate scientific assessment of new animal food ingredients. Through SRIS, prospective ingredients undergo scientific evaluation by independent consultants and subject matter experts from universities across the country, while upholding rigorous scientific standards and transparency. The process is intended to complement the FDA’s current Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) Notice program, providing the animal food industry with an additional option for introducing new and innovative products to the market. The SRIS process is managed by Dr. Garret Ashabranner, who previously served as an animal scientist at the FDA, where he reviewed animal food ingredients and advised on monogastric nutrition and environmental claims. He brings nearly a decade of experience in poultry production, regulatory science and agricultural education to the SRIS process. In addition to hiring Dr. Ashabranner, AAFCO and K-State Olathe put out a call for subject matter experts (SMEs) in June of this year, amassing a repertoire of diverse and uniquely qualified individuals who will conduct expert panel reviews within the SRIS framework. SMEs were selected based on their areas of expertise, screened for potential conflicts of interest, and trained to review new and innovative ingredients that would benefit the U.S. animal food industry in a manner that preserves scientific rigor. A FRESH NEW PATHWAY TO BRING ANIMAL FOOD INGREDIENTS TO MARKET IN THE U.S. Austin Therrell Executive Director The Association of American Feed Control Officials LEAD ARTICLE
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==