Innovative FEED Act of 2025

The "Innovative FEED Act of 2025" amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish a new regulatory category for zootechnical animal food substances . These substances are defined as those added to animal food or water, intended to affect digestive byproducts, reduce foodborne pathogens in food animals, or alter the animal's gastrointestinal microbiome to impact structure or function, acting solely within the GI tract. Crucially, they are classified as food additives rather than drugs, provided they meet specific exclusions, thereby creating a distinct regulatory pathway. The bill outlines new requirements for petitions seeking approval of these substances, mandating comprehensive data on their intended effects and the quantity needed to achieve them. The Secretary is empowered to establish conditions for their safe use and to ensure they achieve their intended effect, with petitions subject to denial if the intended effect cannot be established. Additionally, the legislation mandates specific labeling, requiring a statement that they are "Not for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in animals," though labels may describe their intended effects, and failure to include the disclaimer renders the product misbranded.