This document outlines the kind of information that should be included in a submission package for the pre-market approval of feed ingredients, with regards to their identification and characterization.
The specialists that developed the guidance were drawn from the founding member organizations of the International Cooperation for Convergence of Technical Requirements for the Assessment of Feed Ingredients (ICCF).
That entity was launched in 2017 with the aim of developing and establishing common guidance documents to provide technical recommendations for the assessment of feed ingredients, including new applications for existing feed components.
The founding members of the ICCF include the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the European Commission (DG SANTE), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada (ANAC), the EU Association of Specialty Feed Ingredients and their Mixtures (FEFANA) and the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF).
The regulation focused project built on a report carried out in 2013, under the auspices of the IFIF, aimed at weighing up the similarities and differences among seven jurisdictions on the approval process, and risk management assessment of feed ingredients. That study covered synergies and gaps for product approvals in Brazil, Canada, China, EU, Japan, South Africa and the US, with input and support from government feed regulators and feed and feed ingredients associations in those countries.
“This initiative will also help to facilitate free and fair trade of feed ingredients [through the reduction in technical barriers for trade] as well as support the feed and food chain as it works to safely and sustainably meet the global growing demand for animal protein,” said ICCF steering committee member, Melissa Dumont, at the launch.
The draft guidance document and accompanying checklist for the public consultation are open for comments by interested stakeholders until June 30, 2022.
The guidance details the information that should be provided in relation to feed ingredients containing viable microorganisms or those manufactured using fermentation processes, for feed ingredients of animal origin, as well as those derived from plants and minerals.
“While this guidance document describes the information, including technical data supporting it, to be provided, applicants are advised to consult the jurisdiction’s legislation and, if applicable the guidance documents established by individual regulatory authorities during the development phase of new feed ingredients or a new use of an approved or authorized feed ingredient,” advise the authors of the provisional guidelines.
