Regulatory update: ASC certification, EFSA call on trace minerals and FDA guidance
ASC certification milestones for BioMar
BioMar's feed production facility in the Scotland is the first site in the UK to receive the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) feed certification.
The Grangemouth factory, which produces feed for salmon and trout, is now ASC compliant, allowing salmon and freshwater trout farms in the region to access certified feed.
This achievement positions the plant as only the second feed production facility in Europe to attain this certification, with BioMar highlighting its importance in promoting responsible feed production for the Scottish farmed salmon industry.
BioMar has also secured ASC certification for its Ecuador facility, located in Guayaquil, which specializes in shrimp feed production. This accreditation was granted earlier this month.
The ASC Feed Standard is the first of its kind to assess all feed ingredients and their impacts across production, verified by independent auditors. In August, Norwegian feed producer Polarfeed’s factory in Øksfjord, Finnmark, became the first European facility to receive the ASC stamp.
US FDA’s guidance on feed ingredient safety
In the US, the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) welcomed new guidance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ensuring continued use of ingredients previously reviewed and included in the 2024 Association of American Feed Control Officials’ (AAFCO) Official Publication.
AFIA expressed relief that this decision preserves the ability to market these ingredients domestically and internationally, despite concerns arising from the FDA’s recent termination of its memorandum with AAFCO on new ingredient reviews.
This guidance is critical for maintaining regulatory stability and ensuring safety in feed production, commented AFIA CEO, Constance Cullman.
“We are encouraged by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine’s decision to formally recognize the safety of hundreds of AAFCO-defined animal food ingredients, ensuring there is no question about their ability to be used or marketed within the US and internationally.”
The FDA clarified that it will not enforce restrictions on manufacturers using ingredients listed in the AAFCO’s 2024 publication if they meet safety and usage standards.
EFSA's review of trace elements in feed
In Europe, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has initiated a review of trace elements like cobalt, copper, and zinc, among others, seeking data on their environmental impact.
EFSA’s public call for data and its upcoming stakeholder meeting in November aim to gather relevant information for a new scientific evaluation of maximum authorized levels in feed.
