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While each pet food manufacturer has their own recipes, there are '''pet food safety standards and regulations''' that everyone must comply with (link to regulations page).

While each pet food manufacturer has their own recipes, there are [[Pet Food Regulation - Nutrition|'''pet food safety standards and regulations''']] that everyone must comply with.

Practical advice is also available to help veterinary professionals establish the credentials of a pet food manufacturer. The [http://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files/Recommendations%20on%20Selecting%20Pet%20Foods.pdf World Small Animal Veterinary Association] provides a check list that helps with evaluation of the credentials of a pet food manufacturer and is a useful resource for both veterinary professionals and owners.

Practical advice is also available to help veterinary professionals establish the credentials of a pet food manufacturer. The [http://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files/Recommendations%20on%20Selecting%20Pet%20Foods.pdf World Small Animal Veterinary Association provides a check list] that helps with evaluation of the credentials of a pet food manufacturer and is a useful resource for both veterinary professionals and owners.

'''A responsible pet food manufacturer will take safety and quality very seriously''' and will have their own defined processes and standards that help ensure the safety and quality of their ingredients and products.

'''A responsible pet food manufacturer will take safety and quality very seriously''' and will have their own defined processes and standards that help ensure the safety and quality of their [[Common Ingredients Used In Pet Food|ingredients]] and products.

These should start with reliable suppliers and cover the whole process through to feeding the cat or dog and are likely to include:

These should start with reliable suppliers and cover the whole process through to feeding the cat or dog and are likely to include:

* Metal detectors and even x-ray machines to locate foreign bodies within finished product.

* Metal detectors and even x-ray machines to locate foreign bodies within finished product.

* Verification of nutritional adequacy via chemical analysis of raw materials and / or finished products and / or feeding studies using approved Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) protocols.

* Verification of nutritional adequacy via chemical analysis of raw materials and / or finished products and / or feeding studies using approved <font color ="red">Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) protocols.</font>

A responsible pet food manufacturer may also choose to implement external audits and voluntary certifications such as ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14000 through an [http://www.iso.org/iso/home.htm external accreditation institute].  

A responsible pet food manufacturer may also choose to implement external audits and voluntary certifications such as ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14000 through an [http://www.iso.org/iso/home.htm external accreditation institute].  

A pet food company can obtain information and guidance about appropriate auditing and certifications from a selection of organisations including:

A pet food company can obtain information and guidance about appropriate auditing and certifications from a selection of organisations including:

*GHP (Good Hygiene Practice) - provide link to website

<font color ="red">*GHP (Good Hygiene Practice) - provide link to website</font>

*HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) [http://www.codexalimentarius.net/web/index_en.jsp Codex Alimentarius]  

*HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points)  

 

*[http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/en/ Codex Alimentarius]  

For more information about the safety and quality standards that apply to a particular product please contact the pet food manufacturer.

For more information about the safety and quality standards that apply to a particular product please contact the pet food manufacturer.