The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a proposed rule that would establish regulations regarding the manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding of animal food in two ways. First, it would create new current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) regulations that specifically address the manufacturing, processing, packing, and holding of animal food. Second, it would include new preventive control provisions intended to implement section 103 of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) for animal food.

There have been a number of efforts to ensure some safety in all food produced in the U.S.  In 1906, Congress passed the first national food safety law, which established the government’s role in ensuring food safety and providing oversight.  Food manufacturers and processors for the human food industry follow the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) approach to food safety.  HACCP is built on the principle that that food safety is best assured if each producer and processor understands the hazards that are reasonably likely to occur in their particular product and operation and puts in place scientifically sound preventive controls to significantly minimize or eliminate the hazard.

According to the New York Times, FDA officials have stated that the regulation would help prevent food-borne illness in both animals and people, as people can become sick from handling contaminated animal food and from touching pets that have eaten it.  This proposed rule comes six years after the biggest pet food recall in history, when a Chinese producer contaminated dog and cat food with melamine, a compound used in plastics, causing the deaths of animals across the United States.  In response to the public outcry, Congress included animal food in the FSMA.

“The FDA continues to take steps to meet the challenge of ensuring a safe food supply,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg in a statement. “[Friday’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.”

“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,” said Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine Michael R. Taylor. “They also work in concert with standards proposed in July 2013 to help ensure that imported foods are as safe as those produced domestically.”

FDA regulation is likely welcomed by pet owners, in particular, given the recent outbreak linked to pet treats.  Jerky pet treats have been linked to an unknown illness in 3,600 dogs and 10 cats in the U.S., reports the FDA in a recent consumer update. The FDA is requesting that pet owners or veterinarians contact the agency if their pet has become sick after eating jerky treats.  Thus far, 580 of the pets that have become sick have died since 2007.  Also, earlier this year, Nestle Purina PetCare Company voluntarily recalled certain dog treat product brands it owned, reports Waggin’ Train, one of the brands recalled.  After the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets found trace amounts of antibiotic in samples of the treats, the company was asked to remove those products from retail establishments in New York.