If a problem occurs with horse feed, a new collaboration between the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Partnership for Food Protection aims to improve reaction time by sharing information about animal feed-related illnesses and product defects.

Announced in late July, the Animal Feed Network will facilitate sharing of information among various government agencies which can serve as an early alert for animal feed-related incidents, such as illness or product defects. The information can then help regulators best target their investigative and laboratory resources to address adverse events associated with adulterated pet food or animal feed.

The FDA said information exchanged in the Animal Feed Network is intended only to facilitate communication between officials and does not commit members to take enforcement or regulatory action. The Animal Feed Network is a secure reporting and notification system, accessible by officials with regulatory authority and responsibility over animal feed and is not accessible by the public.

The Animal Feed Network will include two portals, one for pet food and the other, LivestockNet, for feed-related illnesses and product defects associated with livestock animals, aquaculture species, and horses. LivestockNet has been developed to serve an early-alert function for feed-related illnesses and product defects associated with feed for these animals