CDFA’s Feed Inspection Advisory Board Has 3 Vacancies + Why You Should Care

Feb 5, 2025
Big news in California’s pet food world—the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) just announced three openings on its Feed Inspection Advisory Board (FIAB).

If you’re in the pet food or feed industry, this isn’t just another press release - it’s your chance to make a real impact. Let’s break down why these vacancies matter, how the CDFA affects your business, and how you can get involved.

Why the Feed Inspection Advisory Board Matters

The FIAB isn’t just a regulatory panel—it’s where key decisions about the feed and pet food industry are shaped. The board works closely with the CDFA to oversee programs like the Feed Inspection Program and the Safe Animal Feed Education (SAFE) Program. These initiatives are all about ensuring the safety and quality of animal feed and pet food sold in California.

Why does that matter to you? California’s regulations often set the tone for other states. If you’re on the FIAB, you’re not just influencing rules in California—you’re potentially shaping the future of the entire industry.

What CDFA Does + Why You Should Care

The CDFA is more than a regulatory body—it’s the foundation of California’s agricultural world. For the pet food industry, here’s what they do that’s especially important:

  • Regulatory Oversight: They make sure your products meet safety and labeling standards. Staying on their good side means avoiding penalties and keeping customers happy.
  • Educational Programs: SAFE and other initiatives help manufacturers and distributors follow best practices, reducing recalls and boosting product quality.
  • Licensing and Compliance: California’s licensing requirements are no joke. The CDFA enforces these rules, creating a fair playing field (and keeping you from accidental non-compliance).

What These Vacancies Mean for You

The FIAB is your link to the CDFA. Board members provide technical and scientific advice to the FIAB and CDFA on animal food nutrition, safety and efficacy data review of new and unapproved feed ingredients, research project oversight and other issues that will affect the Commercial Feed Regulatory Program, the Livestock Drug Program and the Safe Animal Feed Education Program.

Without enough representation from the pet food sector, there’s a risk policies might not reflect the unique challenges you and your professional peers face.

If you want to make your voice heard, this is the time! By joining the FIAB, you’ll not only have a say in key decisions but also get insider insights on the regulatory landscape. It’s a win-win.

How to Apply for a Board Spot

Feeling inspired? Here’s how to apply:

  1. Check Your Eligibility: The board is looking for folks with technical, applied and scientific expertise in the fields of toxicology, pathology, ruminant and non-ruminant nutrition, and a general knowledge of the California feed industry.
  2. Apply: Fill out a Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire here and send your resume to SAFE@cdfa.ca.gov.
  3. Don’t Wait: The deadline for application is March 25th, 2025. 

Don’t Forget Your Compliance Deadlines

While you’re thinking about applying, don’t let compliance sneak up on you. California’s Commercial feed licenses renew every year on June 30th, but every state has different renewal deadlines and tonnage deadlines. (And, yes, it can be pretty overwhelming to keep track of.)

Missing those deadlines could mean big fines or even losing your spot on store shelves. We’ve got you covered with a free compliance calendar to help you stay on track. Grab it here to see all the key deadlines.

Make Your Move

Joining the FIAB is your chance to influence the future of feed and pet food regulations. Plus, it’s a unique way to get a behind-the-scenes look at California’s regulatory system. Whether you’re applying for the board or gearing up for 2025 compliance, staying ahead of the game is always a smart move.

If you’d rather skip the compliance headaches altogether, get in touch for a free consultation. Let us handle the paperwork while you focus on what matters most—growing your business and making pets happy.

Join Our Newsletter

We will bring industry highlights right to your inbox.
Good stuff only — we promise!
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Get in Touch
Copyright © 2025 Pet Food Compliance | All Rights Reserved | Web Design by Kicks Digital Marketing
Stay in Touch
Sign up for Updates
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Copyright © 2025 Pet Food Compliance | All Rights Reserved | Web Design by Kicks Digital Marketing