Changes

#'''''It provides information to the purchaser about the product and the producing company.'''''   

#'''''It provides information to the purchaser about the product and the producing company.'''''   

   

   

Pet food differs from human food products in that the final consumer is not the purchaser. The information on the label is provided for pet owners, caretakers or veterinarians who may choose or recommend what the cat or dog is fed. The primary purpose of a label is to provide clear, accurate and honest information on the composition, characteristics and use of the pet food product. In many countries the information included on a pet food label and the way it appears are largely defined by legislation.   

Pet food differs from human food products in that the final consumer is not the purchaser. The information on the label is provided for pet owners, caretakers or veterinarians who may choose or recommend what the cat or dog is fed. The primary purpose of a label is to provide clear, accurate and honest information on the composition, characteristics and use of the pet food product. In many countries the information included on a pet food label and the way it appears are largely defined by legislation.   

   

   

The following sections describe the way pet food is labelled in the European Union and in the United States. Specific pet food labelling legislation and guidelines also exist in many other countries around the world.

The following sections describe the way pet food is labelled in the European Union and in the United States. Specific pet food labelling legislation and guidelines also exist in many other countries around the world.

== Europe ==

== Europe ==

In the European Union, pet food labelling is mainly governed by Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 on the Marketing and Use of Feed. This Regulation sets out the rules for feed designed for both food-producing and non-food producing animals, including requirements for labelling, packaging and claims. Regulation 767/2009 also provides a framework for the establishment and labelling of feed intended for particular nutritional purposes (dietetic feeds).  

In the European Union, pet food labelling is mainly governed by Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 on the Marketing and Use of Feed. This Regulation sets out the rules for feed designed for both food-producing and non-food producing animals, including requirements for labelling, packaging and claims. Regulation 767/2009 also provides a framework for the establishment and labelling of feed intended for particular nutritional purposes (dietetic feeds).  

=== Composition = List of Feed Materials ===

=== Composition = List of Feed Materials ===

Feed materials (ingredients) have to be listed in descending order by weight, and the list has to be preceded by the heading: Composition. On the label of pet foods for dogs and cats, individual feed materials can be replaced by ingredient categories. These categories are designed to provide consumers with some indication of the source of raw materials used, while allowing the manufacturer some flexibility in the selection of the ingredients within a specific category (Burger ’93). The categories are defined by law in Commission Directive 82/475/EEC laying down the categories of feed materials which may be used for the purposes of labelling compound feeding stuffs for pet animals (Table 1).  

Feed materials (ingredients) have to be listed in descending order by weight, and the list has to be preceded by the heading: Composition. On the label of pet foods for dogs and cats, individual feed materials can be replaced by ingredient categories. These categories are designed to provide consumers with some indication of the source of raw materials used, while allowing the manufacturer some flexibility in the selection of the ingredients within a specific category<ref name="Burger">2. Burger IH. '''Reading a petfood label'''. Journal of Small Animal Practice 1993; 34: 189-191.</ref>. The categories are defined by law in Commission Directive 82/475/EEC laying down the categories of feed materials which may be used for the purposes of labelling compound feeding stuffs for pet animals (Table 1).