AMERICA’S TOP ANIMAL FOOD SAFETY EXPERT SEEKS DONATIONS FROM CONSUMERS TO ATTEND THE AAFCO CONFERENCE

This winter, the number of pet food safety consumer advisors that plan to attend the upcoming Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) conference has dwindled from three advocates to only two. A grave illness has struck my colleague so I am taking over her position as the primary consumer advisor to AAFCO.

But, unless I receive enough donations to pay for going to AAFCO, there will only be one consumer advisor representing the millions of pet parents in the United States. Therefore it is critical that you support my work with AAFCO, particularly if you have a pet and feel it’s of important to have consumers like yourself represented at this year’s AAFCO conference.

WHY IS GOING TO AAFCO SO IMPORTANT?

Having consumer representatives is vital because AAFCO is where Federal and State feed control officials and feed industry representatives meet to create the model bills and regulations governing pet food, animal feed, and animal drug remedies. AAFCO, along with consumer advisors, help develop regulations, standards, definitions and enforcement policies for regulating the manufacture, labeling, distribution and sale of food for animals – regulations that will be adopted by every State in the nation.

Significantly, AAFCO’s philosophy is that the most important aspect of feed regulation is to provide protection for the consumer as well as the regulated industry. A major function of feed regulations is to safeguard the health of man and animals.

WHY POISONED PETS NEEDS YOUR HELP

Because I don’t sell anything remotely related to pet food on my website or accept any advertising or sponsorships, I remain entirely free of corporate influence; which is an important distinction because most – if not all – pet food news related websites do. But ethically, I can’t and won’t do that; if I did, that would be what’s called a conflict of interest. Your donation helps Poisoned Pets maintain financial independence thus preserving the integrity of my work.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

You can be a part of creating meaningful, groundbreaking changes for consumers by supporting Poisoned Pets today. And your donation assures that there will be at least more than one lone consumer advisor at AAFCO. Please consider making a gift of $10, $25, $50, or another amount that is meaningful to you. Your crucially needed support will help me continue my work to benefit animals and consumers alike.

AAFCO MEETING DETAILS

The AAFCO 2017 Midyear Winter Meeting will be held in Mobile, Alabama on January 16-18, 2017.

• Registration fees through 12/16/16 for an AAFCO non-member will be $500. After 12/16/16 it will be $550.
• 2017 AAFCO Official Publication (paper copy & online) for a non-member will be $200 or a paper copy only will be $100.
• Hotel: $300
• Meals (approximately) $200.
• Round trip flight (approximately): $500.
• Cost: $1600 – $1800.

AAFCO COMMITTEES POISONED PETS WORKS ON

• Definition Workshop Work Group (Ingredient Definitions Committee)
• GRAS Workgroup for the Ingredient Definitions Committee
• Human Grade Feed Grade Work Group
• Ingredient Definitions Committee
• Pet Food Committee
• Pet Label Modernization Workgroup

AAFCO COMMITTEE DRAFT AGENDAS