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Pet Food Label Modernization (PFLM) Tips and Information Coming Soon to WSDA Animal Food Program’s Webpage!
Please keep an eye on the website for upcoming information on PFLM updates. This information will include instructions, examples and tips. In the meantime, you can visit AAFCO's PFLM site for information.
Chapter 16-252 WAC has been updated with PFLM regulations and is available on the agency website.
These updates have been in the works since 2015, and we have reached the exciting point in the process where companies can implement changes on pet food and specialty pet food labels. While pet food and specialty pet food labels have until 2030 to revise labels, it’s not too early to start!
Important: Until 2030, labels are required to either fully comply with PFLM regulations or fully comply with current regulations. This means that WSDA will not accept what are commonly referred to as "hybrid labels" with elements of both PFLM and current regulations.
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USDA Shares New World Screwworm Response Playbook
 The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the availability of the New World Screwworm (NWS) Response Playbook. The playbook outlines key approaches, resources, and tools to implement animal health response activities in the event of a U.S. detection of NWS.
“USDA continues to execute our five-pronged plan to keep NWS out of the United States,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “While we continue to aggressively protect the U.S. border and are working with Mexico to stop the pest from continuing to spread further north, we also have to ensure our domestic response plans are ready to activate if needed.”
The NWS Response Playbook outlines critical response strategies for federal, state, and local responders.
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Welcome to the Animal Feed Program Newsletter
A monthly newsletter with quick news, information, and tips for the animal food industry in Washington State and beyond..
In This Issue
 Acronyms & abbreviations found in this issue
AAFCO - Association of American Feed Control Officials
AFDO - Association of Food and Drug Officials
APHIS - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
ESSB - Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill
FSA - Farm Service Agency
GFSI - Global Food Safety Initiative
HACCP - Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point
HPAI - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
HPP - High Pressure Processing
IHA - International HACCP Alliance
NWS - New World Screwworm
PFLM - Pet Food Label Modernization
PNWANC - Pacific Northwest Animal Nutrition Conference
SQF - Safe Quality Food
SRIS - Scientific Review for Ingredient Submission
USDA - United States Department of Agriculture
WSDA - Washington State Department of Agriculture
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Sales Tax Update Beginning October 1, 2025
The 2025 Washington State Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5814, which added new business activities to the definition of retail sales. As a result, businesses are required to begin collecting sales tax on the following services starting Oct. 1, 2025:
- Advertising services.
- Live presentations.
- Information technology services.
- Custom website development services.
- Investigation, security, and armored car services.
- Temporary staffing services.
- Sales of custom software and customization of prewritten software.
Contact the Department of Revenue or your tax accountant for questions.
Free Soil Health Samples for Farmers
A new public-private partnership for improving how soil health can help with management decisions is being conducted in the United States. The project is called “Probing Our Country’s Soil Health”. This group (unrelated to WSDA) is looking for Washington State farmers and ranchers to participate.
To learn more about this project, click on Probing Our Country’s Soil Health to see a short video.
If interested in participating, you will need to:
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Sign up for a one-hour Zoom Meeting where a facilitator will lead you through a management survey for 2 or 3 fields.
- Grant access to fields for hand-probe soil sampling 2 or 3 sampling sites from each field. Normally this will happen 3-6 months after the survey; you will be notified beforehand.
If you have questions, please reach out to:
Dr. Matt Yost, Professor and Agroclimate Specialist
Utah State University
matt.yost@usu.edu
435-797-4210
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AAFCO Update: Scientific Review of Ingredient Submissions Program Accepting Applications for Animal Food Ingredients
The Scientific Review of Ingredient Submissions (SRIS) program is now accepting applications for new animal food ingredient definitions and modifications to existing ingredient definitions. The SRIS program, a collaborative partnership of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and Kansas State University Olathe Innovation Campus (K-State Olathe), is offering three submission levels: Basic Scientific Review, Full Submission Package and an Expanded Submission Package.
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AAFCO Seeks Comment for Common Food Index
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The current list of food items being considered for inclusion in the Common Food Index consists of 2 items. AAFCO's subcommittee of experienced ingredient definition and label reviewers assessed and narrowed this list to only those food items meeting the criteria of a "Common Food" as defined by AAFCO.
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AAFCO encourages stakeholders, including veterinarians, animal nutritionists, consumer groups, and the general public, to review the current list of proposed food items and provide feedback here.
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All feedback is due by Monday, November 3.
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Jerusalem Artichoke Heavy Cream
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*The CFI is not a naming or quality standard.
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USDA Emergency Livestock Relief & Flood and Wildfire Programs
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WHO? Farmers and Ranchers who experienced losses due to drought, wildfires, or flooding in 2023/2024
- Current approved areas – Colville Reservation & Yakama Nation Reservation
- OTHER counties eligible with documentation including:
- Photographs documenting impact to livestock, land, or property
- Insurance documentation
- Emergency declaration reports
- News articles
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration storm event database records
- Other FSA disaster program participation records
- Other documentation determined acceptable by the FSA county committee
WHY PARTICIPATE?
- FSA is issuing approximately $1 billion in emergency relief payments to help offset increased supplemental feed costs due to qualifying flood or wildfire. Livestock producers can receive payment for one or both years.
WHEN? Closes Oct. 31, 2025
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Educational Opportunities |
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Oct. 23/Oct. 29, 2025
In Person Forum
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Smart Manufacturing Forum
Join Impact Washington for 2 half-day events, in Tacoma and Everett, designed to help manufacturers explore practical applications of advanced technologies in their operations featuring a mix of expert presentations, and networking. Register here
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Clues for Containment: Proactive Rodent Control
Join Orkin Entomologist Frank Meek for a free, educational webinar and live Q&A, where you will learn how to spot the common signs of rodent activity, understand the risks they pose, and implement proactive strategies to help keep them out of your facility. Register here
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Nov. 5-6, 2025
Online Workshop
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IHA Basic Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) Course
Gain HACCP certification in this 2-half day online workshop. Learn core principles, meet SQF standards and strengthen food safety programs. Register here
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Nov. 11-12, 2025
In-Person Workshop
Portland, OR
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45th Annual Food Safety & Sanitation Workshop
The Food Safety & Sanitation Workshop addresses basic sanitation as well as cutting edge issues related to food sanitation and food safety. Topics having broad interest are covered in the general sessions. There are more specific subjects discussed in small breakout sessions, with basic and advanced tracks available. Register here
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Jan. 19-20, 2026
In-Person Conference
Boise, ID
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Pacific Northwest Animal Nutrition Conference (PNWANC)
For over 60 years, the conference has been a source of research, knowledge and education to the university and industry regarding animal nutrition in the Pacific NW. The conference is held in Boise, Idaho every January. Register here
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Jan. 19-22, 2026
In Person and Virtual Meetings and Workshops
New Orleans, LA
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AAFCO Midyear Meeting
Ingredient Submission/SRIS Workshop
Inspections vs. Investigations Workshop
Along with the AAFCO Mid-Year Meeting, a 4-hour workshop to discuss the new Scientific Review for Ingredient Submission (SRIS) pathway is offered, and a workshop on inspections and investigations. Register here
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Feed For Thought
the monthly installment of tidbits and did you knows
The Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) offers Fresh Take Friday Webinar Series
AFDO is hosting a series of one-hour webinars on timely topics several Fridays through mid-December. Grab your lunch and take advantage of the opportunity to learn about current issues facing food safety – right from your computer.
Visit AFDO's website for information on fall offerings and topics.
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Animal Feed Program Mission: We regulate the production and distribution of animal food to ensure its safety and integrity, in order to protect animal and public health and to ensure market fairness. |
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