Another AAFCO meeting begins. Same old story – industry celebrated, consumers forgotten.
The July 2018 AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) meeting began this morning at 8 AM with “Presidential Remarks” from AAFCO President Stan Cook (Missouri Department of Agriculture). Mr. Cook assured the audience that because of the work AAFCO, animal feed/pet food “commerce takes place in a fair environment.”
Most consumers would disagree with that statement. There is nothing “fair” about feed products being labeled as food, law being ignored, consumers denied access to law, and on and on.
Mr. Cook also defined ‘feed’ for the audience – he stated “feed, it’s what your food had for dinner.”
Right after the ‘President Remarks’ they began the part of AAFCO meetings where all regulatory authorities attending the meeting are introduced. Following this introduction, everyone in attendance stands and introduces themselves. AAFCO had a slide that specifically mentioned industry representatives to stand and introduce themselves. Consumers or consumer advocates had no such slide in the presentation. They customarily neglect to mention us. Thus we are forced to stand and introduce ourselves during the industry introductions.
Two very brave consumers are here – they stood and stated their names along with the reason they are here. One is here because her dog died, and regulatory has done nothing to hold the company accountable. She stood, stated her name with “I’m here because my dog needlessly died a year ago.” The other is here because several of her dogs became seriously ill and regulatory has done nothing to hold the company accountable. She stood, stated her name with “I’m here because several of my dogs became seriously ill, one almost died.”
AAFCO next handed out several awards/plaques to numerous industry representatives for their “work” with AAFCO.
And AAFCO announced they are proposing a change to the organization’s name. They are discussing later in this meeting (Wednesday) changing to: “Association of Animal Food Control Officials.” This name change would be an official lie – because none of the regulations that AAFCO writes deal with “food”.
Later today we have a small army of consumer advocates flying in to help us with the important meetings of tomorrow (Tuesday July 31, 2018). More details of those significant folks to come.
Reminder to everyone, you can listen to the meetings tomorrow.
Ingredient Definitions session at 10 AM ET – click here to view the agenda and how to listen to the meeting.
Pet Food session at 3 PM ET – click here to view agenda and how to listen.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food
Become a member of our pet food consumer Association. Association for Truth in Pet Food is a a stakeholder organization representing the voice of pet food consumers at AAFCO and with FDA. Your membership helps representatives attend meetings and voice consumer concerns with regulatory authorities. Click Here to learn more.
What’s in Your Pet’s Food?
Is your dog or cat eating risk ingredients? Chinese imports? Petsumer Report tells the ‘rest of the story’ on over 5,000 cat foods, dog foods, and pet treats. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Click Here to preview Petsumer Report. www.PetsumerReport.com
The 2018 List
Susan’s List of trusted pet foods. Click Here to learn more.
Have you read Buyer Beware? Click Here
Cooking pet food made easy, Dinner PAWsible
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Marshall Boprey
July 30, 2018 at 12:02 pm
Thank you, Susan, for keeping us informed in the unique way that you do!
Vicki Pearce
July 30, 2018 at 12:13 pm
They are letting you attend this year? Go get ’em.
Bob Milnover
July 30, 2018 at 1:10 pm
So what are these people’s full names? Where do they live? Can’t they be picketed? Are there no wannabe coming up through the ranks investigative journalists in the national papers who would like to make a name by looking into this “fake” organization and those who empower them or don’t enforce their own government regulations?
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Hope
July 30, 2018 at 3:16 pm
Geesuz Susan, how do you control your anger and frustration while you are sitting there observing and listening to these bloated corporate money grubbers who don’t give a damn for animals whatsoever beyond profit? Thank you!
Anthony Hepton.
July 30, 2018 at 9:00 pm
Susan, You are a brave lady to stand among a group of feed producers who continually push their own agenda with little of no concern about the welfare of our pets.We, the pet owners, are the consumers. We make the choices and we have the responsibility of doing the best we possibly can for our pets. The manufacturers continue to reduce our options with buyouts and mergers and their ultimate objective is that we all buy from PURINA. We must not let this happen and you have our continued support.
Julie
July 31, 2018 at 12:05 am
Go get’um, Susan. Glad you’re there!!
Diane Timmons
July 31, 2018 at 6:30 am
Bless you, Susan, and all you do for our precious pets.
Karrie Kamke
July 31, 2018 at 9:16 am
My cats and I send you our wholehearted thanks!
jennifer hahnjennifer frix
July 31, 2018 at 11:21 am
So sad -we need to clone you and have you storm the gates of pet food hell, please be safe out there. we love you and all that you do. When i tell dog owners about you-i get teary eyed. You are such a brave and good woman.
Patty Hoffman
August 1, 2018 at 10:16 am
Thank you for staying passionate and pressing on. Just know your advocacy is appreciated. I’m noticing awareness, rather than blind trust, is getting some traction among the younger pet owners especially.