Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards Implementation Development and Maintenance, with Mutual Reliance Initiatives

The notice aims to strengthen a nationally integrated animal food safety system by supporting state-level animal food regulatory programs in achieving and sustaining full compliance with the Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards. Funding is provided to help these programs implement standardized systems and procedures that enable mutual reliance between federal and state regulatory entities, allowing each to depend on the other’s inspections, data, and enforcement actions. This approach is designed to enhance efficiency, reduce duplication, and improve overall food safety outcomes across the country. The initiative encourages states to develop and refine processes that facilitate federal reliance on state regulatory work and vice versa, promoting a collaborative framework rather than parallel efforts. While specific outputs and objectives are still being finalized, the overarching goal is to establish a unified, interoperable system that ensures consistent standards and accountability. The Food and Drug Administration, under the Department of Health and Human Services, is administering the effort, with Terrin Brown serving as the primary point of contact for inquiries regarding the opportunity.