FDA Proposes Rule at Ensuring Safety of Animal Food

The Food and Drug Administration proposed a new rule Friday designed to ensure the safety of food for animals and, by extension, their owners.

The rule would require makers of animal feed and pet food sold in the United States to come up with a plan to prevent foodborne illness, and would make manufacturers responsible for any problems that may arise. Under the rule, animal food facilities would be required to follow manufacturing practices around issues such as sanitation for the first time ever.

According to FDA officials, the proposal is part of the Food Safety Modernization Act's overall efforts at bringing the food safety system squarely into the 21st century, and its increased focus on preventing food safety problems versus responding to crises.

"This proposed rule on animal food complements proposed rules published in January 2013 for produce safety and facilities that manufacture food for humans to set modern, prevention-based standards for food safety," Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine Michael R. Taylor said in a statement. "They also work in concert with standards proposed in July 2013 to help ensure that imported foods are as safe as those produced domestically."

Open for public comment for 120 days, the proposal would protect animal owners, too, given the ability of pathogens to sicken individuals handling contaminated food, including pet food.

"The FDA continues to take steps to meet the challenge of ensuring a safe food supply," said FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg. "Today's announcement addresses a critical part of the food system, and we will continue to work with our national and international industry, consumer and government partners as we work to prevent foodborne illness."