EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMITTEE

Purpose: Work with Committees and the Board of Directors to identify education and training needs and approaches. Serve as a point of integration for training approaches with other national organizations (e.g. FDA) as needed. Act as a resource to identify appropriate training methods and coordinate the organization of training material developed by the respective Committees for effective educational approaches in support of regulators and regulated industry training.* (* Note: Technical training material development remains the responsibility of the subject matter expert committee.)

ENFORCEMENT ISSUES COMMITTEE

Purpose: Provide a forum for the discussion, promotion and development of uniform enforcement policies and actions by AAFCO members. This committee usually meets in closed session, for AAFCO members (regulatory) only.

FEED AND FEED INGREDIENT MANUFACTURING COMMITTEE

Purpose: Working cooperatively with the Food and Drug Administration, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, feed and feed ingredient manufacturers and other relevant domestic and international stakeholders, develop science- and risk-based regulations. Such regulations would support the implementation of effective inspection and compliance strategies as well as be useful in providing education and information to stakeholders.  The overall goal is to minimize the presence of chemical, microbiological and physical hazards in animal feeds to the levels necessary to protect human and animal health.

FEED LABELING COMMITTEE

Purpose:Review labeling requirements set forth by the Model Bill and Regulations to determine modifications needed to more effectively serve purchasers of commercial feed and feed manufacturers; and maintain Feed Labeling Guides.

INGREDIENT DEFINITIONS COMMITTEE

Purpose: Serve as a clearinghouse for the development of feed ingredient definitions and provide and maintain a mechanism for the organization and distribution of information regarding ingredients and their use.

INSPECTION AND SAMPLING COMMITTEE

Purpose: Work cooperatively with feed and feed ingredient manufacturers and other relevant domestic and international stakeholders, to develop effective inspection and sampling procedures and promote the uniform application of those procedures for feed and feed ingredients; evaluate, update and maintain the AAFCO Inspector's Manual.

LABORATORY METHODS AND SERVICES COMMITTEE

Purpose: Work cooperatively with FDA, CFIA, regulated industry and other stakeholders to: promote communications among feed laboratories; facilitate communication between feed program and laboratory personnel; monitor and plan for emerging issues related to regulatory feed laboratory activities; advise other AAFCO Committees with respect to implications for enforcement activities; work collectively to provide laboratories with tools which may include training, new or improved analytical methods, etc.; partner with FDA, AOAC I and similar groups to provide a forum for exchange of information related to analytical methodology; participate as partners with FDA and AOAC International in the support, organization and conduct of a feed methodology forum at the AOAC International Annual Meeting, AOAC Section Meeting, or other suitable venue; organize and conduct surveys determining aspects of interest for the participating population of laboratories; support and facilitate method validation for needed analytical methods and the requirements of AAFCO and regulated industries; facilitate communications among state labs with mailing group; respond to requests from other committees; provide a forum at our committee meetings for method evaluations, development, etc. prioritize method needs and develop performance criteria statements for needed methods; work with FDA to establish VMFs for submission of method validations with the goal of obtaining FDA review for regulatory methods.

Purpose: Provide timely and sound recommendations to the Board so that fair and just model bills and regulations are maintained and advocated by AAFCO regarding the production, labeling, distribution and sale of commercial feed and production of non-commercial feed.

PET FOOD COMMITTEE

Purpose:  Work cooperatively with FDA, the pet food industry and other stakeholders to monitor, review and recommend appropriate revisions to the AAFCO Official Publication as related to pet food and specialty pet food and suggest additional activities, when such are needed, to more effectively: 1) provide protection for the consumer and the regulated industry; 2) safeguard the health of humans and animals; 3) provide a structure for orderly commerce; and 4) provide recommendations and assistance for training, workshops and educational materials regarding pet food and specialty pet food.

Purpose: Provide advice and support to the Board regarding strategic direction, planning, tracking and implementation of related Association activities and stability, including oversight of financial; advise and maintain the By-Laws to best serve the Board and the needs of AAFCO.

TASKFORCES

BIO-FUELS CO-PRODUCTS TASK FORCE

Purpose: The Bio-Fuels Co-Products Task Force will draft educational materials (pamphlet, brochure, etc.) to distribute to bio-fuel producers to make them aware of regulations and other information that they may need to consider in order to produce safe products for consumption by animals and subsequent production of wholesome meat, milk, and eggs.