Tennessee Department of Agriculture - Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards Maintenance Project Proposal

Tennessee Department of Agriculture Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards Maintenance Project Abstract This project ensures animal feed safety in Tennessee by maintaining full compliance with the Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS). Its primary goal is to protect public health by preventing contaminated or adulterated animal feed from entering the human food chain through meat, dairy, and egg products. Because unsafe feed can pose serious risks to both livestock and human consumers, rigorous regulatory oversight is essential. The program focuses on three main objectives to uphold AFRPS conformance. First, it sustains a comprehensive inspection program, staffed by eight trained animal food inspectors and one statewide supervisor. Second, it aims to meet SMG-8076 audit requirements by achieving at least 50% annual inspection audit completion by Year 3. Third, it conducts risk-based enforcement actions, including re-inspections, warning letters, stop sales, and permit revocations. Close collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is central to the program’s success. Through scheduled visits, technical assistance calls, and participation in Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) meetings, the program ensures consistent application of federal standards at the state level and remains aligned with evolving national guidelines. The expected outcomes of the project include a sustained and strengthened feed safety infrastructure in Tennessee, continued AFRPS compliance, improved inspection audit performance, and enhanced enforcement capacity. Overall, the initiative protects both animal and human health by preventing the distribution of unsafe feed, while supporting Tennessee’s agricultural economy and reinforcing the integrity of the national animal food safety network.