AFIA's Top Blogs 2023

Written by: Taylor Lekin   |   December 26, 2023

As we round out 2023, we are excited to look back at the top five blog posts that have captivated and educated our readers in the ever-evolving landscape of the U.S. animal food industry. From sharing updates to busting internet myths and contributing to thought-provoking discussions within the industry, it has been a busy year, and we cannot wait to keep sharing content that you all love in 2024.  

Here are readers' top five favorite blog posts in 2023: 

#1 No, There Isn’t a Conspiracy Around Chicken Feed and Reduced Egg Production 

This past week, there have been an uptick in social media videos and news stories perpetuating false claims about commercial chicken feed and its impact on the availability and price of eggs. To better understand how diet relates to a hen’s egg output, I spoke with our resident animal nutritionist, Paul Davis, Ph.D. Davis has a doctorate in animal nutrition and the added benefit of being able to tap into fellow nutrition experts’ knowledge on the American Feed Industry Association Nutrition Committee. Below is a summary of this conversation, responding to some of these claims.  

#2 Vietnam – A Country on the Rise 

From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, one cannot help but marvel at evidence of a rich and varied culture influenced by war, colonialism and communism. Overlaying all of this is intense growth fueled by a national commitment to economic liberalization and the desire to fully integrate into the world economy. 

#3 Food Safety Requires Formaldehyde 

Are you aware that formaldehyde is an important feed additive for reducing virus risks, which the Environmental Protection Agency is currently trying to ban? First, let me explain why formaldehyde is in animal food and then I will discuss how the EPA’s current regulations may impact its safe use in animal food manufacturing in the future. 

#4 Updates to Pet Food Labels: A Long Time Coming! 

The year 2015 offered few notable fashion, news or entertainment headlines, unless the unfortunate bumbling “Left Shark” of the Super Bowl halftime show counts as all three. But in the world of pet food, 2015 was a big year. It was the year the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) started to “review and consider potential changes to modernize pet food labeling…,” and now, after nearly eight years of hard work, the label changes are on the brink of roll-out.    

#5 Steve Thomas is the 2023 Friend of Pet Food Award Winner 

At today's American Feed Industry Association Pet Food Conference, we recognized an individual who has been instrumental in promoting the pet food industry, including developing many products, including a dairy feed supplement, a baby pig supplement, a liquid fat delivery system and an organic fertilizer brand. Please join us in congratulating Steve Thomas, former vice president at Darling Ingredients, for being awarded the 2023 Friend of Pet Food Award. 

We thank you so much for reading our blog and learning more about the animal food industry. We look forward to sharing insights on policy issues and topics that are being discussed in the news in the new year. 

Do you have questions about the animal food industry you would like to see answered? Topics you want to learn more about? Email afiaeditor@afia.org!