Valorization of Food Industry Co-products in Animal Feed: Regulation and Possible Levers

Food processing generates significant volumes of first- and second-processing by-products, such as beet pulp, oilseed cakes, and bakery waste. This paper defines these co-products, quantifies their production in France, and details their routing into animal feed, agronomic uses, lipochemistry, or energy. It reviews the specific regulations governing animal feed ingredients, including marketing requirements, sanitary safety principles, and contaminant limits, and identifies areas needing clarification where feed rules intersect with human food and waste legislation. Finally, it highlights the role of professional good practice guides in ensuring feed and food safety and emphasizes feed’s contribution to waste reduction across the food chain.