The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has recommended amending the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) ingredient definition of dried black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) to include feeding to poultry, according to an announcement from EnviroFlight LLC.

The recommended amendment of the BSFL definition for use in poultry feed expands the potential for this ingredient as a more sustainable source of protein and enables a nutritious, natural feed ingredient for poultry diets, EnviroFlight said.

After FDA's technical review of BSFL for use in poultry feed, the next step in the AAFCO ingredient definition process will be with the AAFCO Ingredient Definitions Committee (IDC). If passed by the AAFCO IDC in October 2018, the AAFCO membership will vote on the definition modification in January 2019.

AAFCO is composed of state, federal and international regulatory officials who are responsible for the enforcement of state laws regulating the safe production and labeling of animal feed, including pet food. FDA and AAFCO work together in the area of feed regulation, particularly in the establishment of definitions to describe new feed ingredients, FDA noted on its Center for Veterinary Medicine website. FDA provides technical assistance to AAFCO in its ingredient definition process, while the final responsibility to approve ingredient definitions remains with AAFCO.

Research conducted by EnviroFlight on broiler chickens with Dr. Kimberly Livingston, assistant professor in nutrition, immunology and physiology at North Carolina State University, and on laying hens with Dr. Paul Patterson, professor of poultry science at The Pennsylvania State University, supports these ingredients for inclusion in feed for poultry species. This research was performed with ingredients produced at the EnviroFlight facility that have met the highest quality standards established by the U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act, the announcement said.

"Black soldier fly larvae ingredients (meal, oil and whole larvae) produced by EnviroFlight provide an exciting nutrient option for laying hens with significant amounts of energy, protein, essential amino acids, fatty acids and minerals that support the hens' bodyweight, egg production and quality," Patterson said.

EnviroFlight said it will support this new market opportunity with the first U.S.-based, pet food-grade, FSMA-compliant facility opening in the fourth quarter of 2018. EnviroFlight's facility in Maysville, Ky., will have a production capacity for dried BSFL of up to 3,200 metric tons per year.

EnviroFlight, a joint venture between Intrexon Corp. and Darling Ingredients Inc., develops sustainable animal and plant nutrients using regionally available, low-value materials.