Nutrasource Blog

What are PFAS and how am I exposed to them?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in various products since the 1940s. The definition of PFAS varies according to different regulatory agencies, but in general PFAS contain chains of carbon molecules with varying numbers of fluorine molecules attached to the carbons. They are known as “forever chemicals” because of their resistance to breaking down and have been shown to be hazardous to humans and other species.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) maintains a list of feed ingredient names and the definitions in the AAFCO Official Publication. This list is central to harmonizing inter-state trade for animal feed and is referenced by international organizations. In late 2024, it was announced that the AAFCO “ingredient definition” process was going to change when the memorandum of understanding between AAFCO and the FDA came to an end. The FDA quickly put forward a draft guidance that has since been finalized for Animal Food Ingredient Consultation (AFIC) process as an alternative pathway, complementing the Food Additive Petition (FAP) and Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notifications that exist currently. Similarly, AAFCO released a draft proposal from Kansas State University (KSU) for a new AAFCO ingredient definition process that does not involve the FDA.

Whether you’re a startup brand introducing your first product or an established brand with many SKUs, the regulatory requirements are the same: companies are responsible for ensuring that their dietary supplements comply with U.S. laws governing safety, quality, and labeling.

The dietary supplement market in the U.S. includes a diverse range of products, including vitamins, minerals, herbal preparations, probiotics, and specialty nutrients. These products fall under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are regulated differently than conventional foods or drugs. Unlike some countries, such as Canada or members of the European Union, where pre-market approvals are required, the U.S. system relies primarily on post-market oversight.

When it comes to food and supplement labeling, there are significant differences between the US and Canada – even spelling the word “labelling (labeling)” is different. Both markets have their own set of regulations which detail the mandatory content required on a product label. The regulations also give guidance on voluntary content such as claims. It’s important to know which governing bodies have oversight, which regulations apply and how to properly classify your product to make sure you use the right set of regulations from the beginning.

Thinking about getting your toxicological results published? Go no further until you read this article.

Thinking about placing a toxicological test on your novel ingredient? Go no further until you read this article.

On August 2, 2024, just a few days before their Annual Meeting, AAFCO announced that the long-standing Memorandum of Understand (MOU) between AAFCO and the FDA¹ would not be renewed at the end of its term. Effective October 1, 2024, ingredients destined for use in animal feed (including pet food) in the US have two regulatory pathways – Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) and Food Additive Petition (FAP). The AAFCO Ingredient Definition will no longer be an option for new ingredients; however, a new “Animal Food Ingredient Consultation” (AFIC) pathway has been proposed by FDA and is currently open for public comment.²

You may have a blockbuster food or dietary supplement ingredient, but if the manufacturing process introduces contaminants, it may not be safe to consume. Contaminants may be introduced into a botanical ingredient during growth, such as heavy metals or herbicides from soil or pesticides or antifungal agents applied to plants. Toxins can be produced by plants or be introduced into plants during storage by fungal contamination. Ingredients that are produced by chemical synthesis may be contaminated with solvents or unintended metabolites, and ingredients that are manufactured by microbial fermentation can be contaminated with the microbes or toxins produced by them. Other sources of contaminants include water, processing aids, filters/columns, fermentation media ingredients and packaging materials. Use of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), potable water and food grade materials (by U.S. standards) can help reduce levels of contaminants in an ingredient. However, even if these procedures are in place, contaminants may be present in your ingredient.

Drug development is a complex, multi-phase process, involving rigorous testing to ensure safety and efficacy. Prior to drug or biologic testing in human subjects, approval must be obtained from regulatory authorities like the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) if the drug or biologic is to be marketed in the US and Health Canada if Canada is the market of interest. In the US, approval is obtained through an Investigational New Drug (IND) application, while in Canada, the application required is a Clinical Trial Application (CTA).

The current paradigm used to determine the safety of an ingredient involves several in vitro, animal, and human studies. However, recent advances in in vitro methodologies have spurred the development of new approach methods, or NAMs. A NAM is defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as, “a technology, methodology, approach, or combination that can provide information on chemical hazard and risk assessment to avoid the use of animal testing”. NAMs are also commonly defined to include in silico, in chemico, and in vitro assays, as well as information about the exposure of chemicals in the context of hazard assessment. In silico methods are computational in nature, in chemico refers to purely chemical methods, such as testing a chemical by seeing if it reacts with another chemical or isolated protein in the absence of cells or tissues, and in vitro refers to experiments conducted in cell or tissue cultures. The ultimate goal of NAMs is to replace, reduce, or refine the use of animal testing in chemical safety assessment.