AAFCO and Cricket Protein: What US Pet Food Manufacturers Need to Know

For US pet food manufacturers considering cricket protein as a novel ingredient, understanding the regulatory landscape is the logical first step. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) — the body whose ingredient definitions govern pet food labelling and formulation across most US states — has established an ingredient definition for Dried Crickets (Acheta domesticus). This article explains exactly what that definition says, what it requires from ingredient suppliers, and what it means in practical terms for pet food brands looking to bring cricket-based products to the US market.

What AAFCO Is and Why It Matters to Pet Food Manufacturers

AAFCO is a voluntary, non-profit association of US state and federal feed control officials. It does not directly approve or certify individual pet food products — but it publishes the ingredient definitions and nutrient profiles that most US states use as the basis for their own pet food regulations. In practice, if an ingredient is defined in AAFCO's Official Publication, pet food manufacturers can use it in labelled formulations sold across the majority of the US market. For a new ingredient to receive an AAFCO definition, a manufacturer or ingredient supplier typically submits a petition supported by scientific evidence of safety and nutritional function. AAFCO's Ingredient Definitions Committee reviews the petition, and if accepted, the definition is published — specifying the species, production method, feedstock requirements, processing standards, and permitted use. This process applies equally to novel protein sources like insect ingredients. Understanding where cricket protein sits in this process is essential for any US pet food brand evaluating the ingredient for commercial use.

The AAFCO Dried Cricket Ingredient Definition

AAFCO's Ingredient Definitions Committee has established a definition for Dried Crickets (reference T60.119 in the AAFCO Official Publication). The key requirements within this definition are directly relevant to how cricket protein powder is sourced and produced.

AAFCO Definition Requirement	What It Means for Sourcing
Species: Acheta domesticus only	The definition applies exclusively to house cricket — species matters for both regulatory and nutritional consistency
Nymph through adult stage	Full life cycle from early nymph to adult is permitted for processing
Processing: roasting or wet milling	Both dry and wet processing routes are accepted under the definition
Feedstock: feed grade materials only	Crickets must be raised exclusively on feed grade inputs — no organic waste or unapproved materials
Microbial kill step required	Processing must include a validated step to eliminate microbial risk (e.g. thermal treatment)
Moisture: ≤ 6%	Finished ingredient must be dried to no more than 6% moisture
Chitin: ≤ 7.5%	Maximum chitin content in the finished ingredient

Important: AAFCO does not directly approve pet food products or individual ingredient suppliers. The ingredient definition sets the standard that a supplier's product must meet to be used in labelled AAFCO-compliant pet food. It is the responsibility of the pet food manufacturer to confirm that any ingredient they source meets the definition requirements.

FDA Guidance on Dried Crickets — Additional Regulatory Clarity

In October 2024, the US FDA issued final guidance confirming that ingredients listed in the AAFCO 2024 Official Publication — including Dried Crickets (T60.119) — can be used by pet food manufacturers without FDA taking enforcement action on food additive approval requirements. This guidance provides meaningful and practical regulatory clarity for US brands seeking to formulate with cricket protein in adult dog food products. In simple terms: pet food manufacturers can proceed with formulating and marketing adult dog food containing Dried Crickets as a labelled ingredient, provided the ingredient meets the AAFCO definition requirements and the finished product meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for the stated life stage. One important boundary remains: the current AAFCO ingredient definition covers adult dog food only. There is no equivalent definition for cricket protein in cat food at this time. Pet food manufacturers developing cat food formulations with cricket protein should consult a regulatory affairs specialist for guidance on the appropriate regulatory pathway.

Why This Matters for Pet Food Brands Right Now

1. A clear formulation pathway for adult dog food

The existence of the AAFCO ingredient definition means US pet food manufacturers can formulate adult dog food with Dried Crickets and label the ingredient by name — provided the ingredient meets the definition requirements and the finished product meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for the stated life stage. This removes a significant regulatory barrier that previously made US market entry difficult for cricket-based pet food products.

2. A hypoallergenic protein with a growing market

Cricket protein is classified as a novel protein — a protein source that dogs have not been previously exposed to, making it highly relevant for elimination diets and hypoallergenic pet food formulations. As food sensitivities in dogs continue to rise and pet owners seek protein alternatives to chicken, beef, and salmon, novel proteins like cricket represent one of the fastest-growing segments in premium US pet food. The AAFCO definition enables brands to access this segment with regulatory confidence.

3. Sustainability credentials that resonate with US pet owners

US pet food consumers — particularly the premium and natural segments — are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of conventional animal proteins. Cricket protein's resource efficiency (less than 1 litre of water per kg of protein produced, compared to 22,000 litres for beef protein) gives brands a meaningful, verifiable sustainability story to build into their product positioning and marketing. Regulatory clarity from AAFCO makes this story commercially actionable.

How Protanica's Cricket Protein Powder Aligns with the AAFCO Ingredient Definition

Pet food manufacturers sourcing from Protanica can evaluate alignment against the AAFCO Dried Cricket definition requirements across the following criteria:

AAFCO Requirement	Protanica Specification	Status
Species: Acheta domesticus	Acheta domesticus — confirmed species	✓ Meets
Feed grade feedstock only	DLD-approved feed: soybean, rice bran, corn, broken rice	✓ Meets
Microbial kill step	Natural thermal drying at GHP/HACCP-certified facility	✓ Meets
Moisture ≤ 6%	Moisture ≤ 3% — half the AAFCO maximum, meaning a drier, more concentrated, and more shelf-stable ingredient	✓ Exceeds standard
Processing: roasting or wet milling	Thermal drying + mechanical milling	✓ Meets
Chitin ≤ 7.5%	Total Dietary Fibre ≤ 10% (incl. chitin — verify exact chitin % with Protanica lab report)	Verify with CoA
Crude protein + fat guaranteed	Protein ≥ 70%, Healthy Fat ≤ 10% — declared on specification sheet	✓ Meets

Protanica's facility holds FDA registration, GHP certification (SGS), HACCP certification (SGS), and certification by the Thai Department of Livestock Development — the first and only insect manufacturer in Thailand to hold this certification since 2019. These standards are consistent with — and in some areas exceed — the production and hygiene requirements implied by the AAFCO Dried Cricket definition.

Pet food manufacturers sourcing Dried Crickets for the US market should request a full Certificate of Analysis (CoA) from their supplier confirming species, moisture, protein, fat, and chitin levels before finalising their AAFCO-compliant formulation. Protanica's technical documentation is available on request from Bugme@protanica.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1

Is cricket protein approved by AAFCO for use in US pet food?

A1

AAFCO does not approve individual ingredients or pet food products; it provides ingredient definitions that manufacturers use to create labelled pet food. A definition for Dried Crickets (Acheta domesticus, reference T60.119) is included in the AAFCO Official Publication, allowing Dried Crickets to be used in adult dog food formulations in the US. In October 2024, the US FDA stated it does not plan to take enforcement action against ingredients listed in the 2024 AAFCO Official Publication, offering additional regulatory clarity for manufacturers.

Q2

Can cricket protein be used in cat food under AAFCO?

A2

According to the latest AAFCO publications, the Dried Cricket ingredient definition applies only to adult dog food. There is no current AAFCO definition allowing Dried Crickets in cat food. Pet food manufacturers creating cat food with cricket protein should consult a regulatory affairs specialist for guidance on the current status and appropriate regulatory pathway.

Q3

What documentation should I request from a cricket protein supplier for AAFCO compliance?

A3

To ensure AAFCO definition compliance, request the following from your supplier: Certificate of Analysis (CoA) confirming species (Acheta domesticus), moisture content (≤6%), crude protein (minimum declared), crude fat (minimum declared), and chitin content (≤7.5%); documentation of feedstock composition confirming feed grade materials only; proof of a validated microbial kill step in processing; and relevant food safety certifications (GHP, HACCP, or equivalent). Protanica's complete technical documentation package is available on request.

Q4

Does sourcing from a Thai manufacturer affect AAFCO compliance for US pet food?

A4

AAFCO ingredient definitions outline production requirements — species, feedstock, processing method, and finished ingredient specifications — but do not limit the country of origin. The key factor is whether the finished ingredient meets the definition requirements, regardless of production location. Protanica is FDA registered, facilitating the import of food and feed ingredients into the US market. Pet food manufacturers should verify import compliance requirements with their regulatory affairs team or a licensed customs broker for their specific product category.

Request Technical Documentation for US Pet Food Compliance

Protanica supplies premium Acheta domesticus cricket protein powder to pet food manufacturers in the USA, Japan, Australia, and Singapore. Our facility is FDA registered, GHP and HACCP certified, and our production process meets the core requirements of the AAFCO Dried Cricket ingredient definition. Contact the Protanica team to request a Certificate of Analysis, full technical specification sheet, or free sample for formulation evaluation.

✓ FDA Registered · ✓ GHP Certified (SGS) · ✓ HACCP Certified (SGS) · ✓ Species: Acheta domesticus · ✓ Moisture Content ≤ 3% · ✓ Protein Content ≥ 70% · ✓ Available for Shipping to USA