On August 2, 2024, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (“AAFCO”) announced that its Memorandum of Understanding 225-07-7001 (the “MOU”) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) outlining the AAFCO ingredient review process would not be renewed on October 1, 2024 when the MOU is set to expire. The MOU, which has been in effect for the last 17 years, established guidelines by which AAFCO reviews the safety and efficacy of new animal feed ingredients under the guidance of FDA.
Lauren Petrin
Lauren assists food systems and life sciences clients with FDA regulatory compliance.
Lauren entered law school with the intention of working in healthcare; however, her Health Law Certificate courses introduced her to Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory work. Fascinated by the intersection of health and consumer protection, she accepted an internship with the FDA’s Office of Legislation, an experience that gave her an inside perspective on the agency’s inner workings and interactions. As an associate at her first law firm, Lauren worked with medical device companies and drug developers, reviewing their claims in light of FDA regulations, negotiating clinical trial agreements, and responding to FDA warning letters and FDA inspections.
In early 2024, Lauren joined Husch Blackwell as a member of the firm’s Food Systems industry group. While she continues to work with clients in the life sciences space, her primary focus is food and agricultural organizations and trade groups, food producers, importers, and other private food companies, whom she advises on compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA); Federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA); and other FDA regulations. She assists in the development of corporate compliance strategies, as well as with responses to enforcement actions received from the FDA or U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Lauren enjoys working with such a core component of everyday life and helping companies ensure that their customers are safe.
Known as a detail-oriented, highly responsive professional, Lauren has a reputation for always having solutions ready for clients and attending every meeting with new ideas in hand.
FDA Announces New Qualified Health Claim for Yogurt Products – With Limitations
Marketers of yogurt products may celebrate the latest approval by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) of a new qualified health claim related to the consumption of yogurt and type 2 diabetes. However, producers of such products should also be cautious in presenting these claims on product labeling so as not to run afoul of limitations imposed by FDA related to this new qualified health claim.