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===Introduction===
===Introduction===
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 product claims. Regulation 767/2009 also provides a framework for the establishment and labelling of feed intended for particular nutritional purposes (dietetic feeds).
'''(c)''' '''''Food producing animals:''''' any animal that is fed, bred or kept for the production of food for human consumption, including animals that are not used for human consumption, but belong to a species that is normally used for human consumption in the community. <br>
'''(c)''' '''''Food producing animals:''''' any animal that is fed, bred or kept for the production of food for human consumption, including animals that are not used for human consumption, but belong to a species that is normally used for human consumption in the community. <br>
'''(d)''' '''''Non-food producing animals:''''' any animal that is fed, bred or kept but not used for human consumption, such as fur animals, pets and animals kept in laboratories, zoos or circuses. <br>
'''(d)''' '''''Non-food producing animals:''''' any animal that is fed, bred or kept but not used for human consumption, such as fur animals, pets and animals kept in laboratories, zoos or circuses. <br>
'''(i)''' Complete feed means a compound feed which, by reason of its composition, is sufficient for a daily ration. <br>
'''(i)''' '''''Complete feed''''' means a compound feed which, by reason of its composition, is sufficient for a daily ration. <br>
'''(j)''' Complementary feed means compound feed which has a high content of certain substances but which, by reason of its composition, is sufficient for a daily ration only if used in combination with other feeds. <br>
'''(j)''' '''''Complementary feed''''' means a compound feed which has a high content of certain substances but which, by reason of its composition, is sufficient for a daily ration only if used in combination with other feeds. <br>
'''(s)''' Labelling means the attribution of any words, particulars, trademarks, brand name, pictorial matter or symbol to a feed by placing this information on any medium like packaging, container, notice, label, document, ring, collar or the internet referring to or accompanying such feed, including for advertising purposes. <br>
'''(s)''' '''''Labelling''''' means the attribution of any words, particulars, trademarks, brand names, pictorial matter or symbol to a feed by placing this information on any medium like packaging, container, notice, label, document, ring, collar or the internet referring to or accompanying such feed, including for advertising purposes. <br>
'''(t)''' Label means any tag, brand, mark, pictorial or descriptive matter, printed, stencilled, marked, embossed, impressed on, or attached to the packaging or the container, of feed. <br>
'''(t)''' '''''Label''''' means any tag, brand, mark, pictorial or descriptive matter, printed, stencilled, marked, embossed, impressed on, or attached to the packaging or the container, of feed. <br>
Definition (i) does not provide any recommendation for nutrient levels that would be appropriate for a feed to be considered ‘complete’. FEDIAF’s Nutritional Guidelines list [http://www.fediaf.org/self-regulation/nutrition/ minimum recommended nutrient levels] for commercial pet foods and can be used as a guidance document to determine whether or not a pet food is complete for healthy dogs and cats.
Definition (i) does not provide any recommendation for nutrient levels that would be appropriate for a feed to be considered ‘complete’. FEDIAF’s Nutritional Guidelines list on [http://www.fediaf.org/self-regulation/nutrition/ minimum recommended nutrient levels] for commercial pet foods can be used as a guidance document to determine whether or not a pet food is complete for healthy dogs and cats.
=== Mandatory Declarations ===
=== Mandatory Declarations ===
An example of a European label (in this case from the UK) is shown in Figure X. On the label, mandatory declarations should be easily identified and not obscured by any other information. The mandatory labelling particulars, sometimes referred to as statutory statement, must be given in their entirety set in a prominent place on the packaging or label (Regulation 767/2009 Article 14). Mandatory information must be provided in at least one of the official languages of the Member State in which it is sold.
An example of a European label (in this case from the UK) is shown in Figure X. On the label, mandatory declarations should be easily identified and not obscured by any other information. The mandatory labelling particulars, sometimes referred to as the statutory statement, must be given in their entirety set in a prominent place on the packaging or label (Regulation 767/2009 Article 14). Mandatory information must be provided in at least one of the official languages of the Member States in which it is sold.
====Complete Feed or Complementary Feed====
====Complete Feed or Complementary Feed====
A pet food label must indicate whether the pet food is complete or complementary, in other words, whether the food can satisfy all nutritional demands without an additional ration (complete) or whether it must be fed with another product (complementary). The description “complete” or “complementary” must be considered in relation to the animal the food is intended for. Optionally, the life stage or purpose for the food which it is intended may be indicated (e.g., adult, growth, all life stages, activity or light). This should be clear from the label e.g., Product X is a complete pet food for adult dogs or Product Y is a complete pet food for growing and reproducing cats.
*A pet food label must indicate whether the pet food is complete or complementary, in other words, whether the food can satisfy all nutritional demands without an additional ration (complete) or whether it must be fed with another product (complementary). The description “complete” or “complementary” must be considered in relation to the animal the food is intended for. Optionally, the life stage or purpose for which the food is intended may be indicated (e.g., adult, growth, all life stages, activity or light). This should be clear from the label e.g., Product X is a complete pet food for adult dogs or Product Y is a complete pet food for growing and reproducing cats.
Name and address of the feed business operator (company) responsible for the labelling.
*Name and address of the feed business operator (company) responsible for the labelling.
Approval or registration number(s), or, if not available, the address of the manufacturing plant
*Approval or registration number(s), or, if not available, the address of the manufacturing plant.
In cases where the producer is not the person responsible for the labelling: the business name and address of the producer (e.g., private label manufacturer), or the approval number of that producer should be given.
*In cases where the producer is not the person responsible for the labelling: the business name and address of the producer (e.g., private label manufacturer), or the approval number of the producer should be given.
====Batch Number====
====Batch Number====
This is needed for traceability. Where circumstances require it, most pet food manufacturers can trace a bag or can back to the minute it was produced.
This is needed for traceability. Where circumstances require it, most pet food manufacturers can trace a bag or can back to the minute it was produced.
====Net Quantity====
====Net Quantity====
The net quantity must be expressed in units of mass (g, kg) for solid products and units of mass or volume (ml, L) for liquid products. The “e” often seen after the weight statement indicates that the product complies with all packers rules. In addition, strict rules regulate the limits of variation permitted under the declared weight to ensure that the consumer receives, on average, the amount stated on the package (Directive 2009/34).
The net quantity must be expressed in units of mass (g, kg) for solid products and units of mass or volume (ml, L) for liquid products. The “e” often seen after the weight statement indicates that the product complies with all packers rules. In addition, strict rules regulate the limits of variation permitted under the declared weight to ensure that the consumer receives, on average, the amount stated on the package (Directive 2009/34).
====The Minimum Storage Life====
====Minimum Storage Life====
This may also be called an expiry date and requires a DD/MM/YYYY
This may also be called an expiry date and requires a DD/MM/YYYY.
Animal species or category of animals for which the compound feed is intended
Animal species or category of animals for which the compound feed is intended E.g. adult cat, puppy etc.
E.g. adult cat, puppy etc.
====Directions for Use====
====Directions for Use====
In practice these consist mainly of the feeding instructions, but it is not specified by law what is [[Feeding Guides - Nutrition|required as a minimum]]. This can also include storage instructions, especially once a pack is opened.
In practice these consist mainly of the feeding instructions, but it is not specified by law what is [[Feeding Guides - Nutrition|required as a minimum]]. This can also include storage instructions, especially once a pack is opened.
====Composition====
====Composition====
====Additional Labelling Requirement====
====Additional Labelling Requirement====
Pet food has an additional labelling requirement in Regulation 767/2009, and that is the requirement to provide a free telephone number or other suitable means of communication to enable consumers to contact manufacturers to request additional information on the additives in the pet food and also on feed materials that are listed by category rather than [[How Pet Food is Made - Nutrition#Ingredient Selection|single feed material]].
Pet food has an additional labelling requirement in Regulation 767/2009, and that is the requirement to provide a free telephone number or other suitable means of communication to enable consumers to contact manufacturers to request additional information on the additives in the pet food and also on feed materials that are listed by category rather than as [[How Pet Food is Made - Nutrition#Ingredient Selection|single feed material]].
* Additives where a maximum content is set for any kind of target species (see Register of additives for links to authorising legislation). This means that, for example, if an additive has a maximum inclusion level for calves, it has to be declared also on the label of cat foods, if added. This is because pet foods and livestock feed are regulated by the same legislation.
* Additives where a maximum content is set for any kind of target species (see Register of additives for links to authorising legislation). This means that, for example, if an additive has a maximum inclusion level for calves, it has to be declared also on the label of cat foods, if added. This is because pet foods and livestock feed are regulated by the same legislation.
* Additives belonging to the categories
* Additives belonging to the categories:
* Zootechnical additives
* Zootechnical additives
* Coccidiostats & histomonostats
* Coccidiostats & histomonostats
==== How is it Decided Whether a Condition is a Nutritional Purpose and is Included in Directive 2008/38/EC? ====
==== How is it Decided Whether a Condition is a Nutritional Purpose and is Included in Directive 2008/38/EC? ====
The Commission may update the list of intended uses set out in Directive 2008/38/EC by adding an intended use, withdrawing an intended use or by adding, removing or changing the conditions associated with a particular intended use. In order to add a new nutritional purpose or modify an existing PARNUT, a dossier must be introduced to the EU Commission, showing sufficient scientific data to support that 1) the indication matches the definition of PARNUT and 2) a diet with the proposed essential characteristics has a beneficial effect on the specific condition.
The Commission may update the list of intended uses set out in Directive 2008/38/EC by adding an intended use, withdrawing an intended use or by adding, removing or changing the conditions associated with a particular intended use. In order to add a new nutritional purpose or modify an existing PARNUT, a dossier must be introduced to the EU Commission, showing sufficient scientific data to support that
#the indication matches the definition of PARNUT and
#a diet with the proposed essential characteristics has a beneficial effect on the specific condition.
[[File:Table 4 - Pet Food Labels Nutrition Page.png|thumb|600px|left|Table 4 - List of Particular Nutritional Purposes for Dogs and Cats]]
[[File:Table 4 - Pet Food Labels Nutrition Page.png|thumb|600px|left|Table 4 - List of Particular Nutritional Purposes for Dogs and Cats]]
'''d.''' By claiming that it has particular nutritional purpose (PARNUT), but is not included in the list of permitted PARNUTS published in Directive 2008/38/EC (table 5) (article 13).<br>
'''d.''' By claiming that it has particular nutritional purpose (PARNUT), but is not included in the list of permitted PARNUTS published in Directive 2008/38/EC (table 5) (article 13).<br>
Any claim referring to the product must be substantiated, not confuse or mislead purchasers and not denigrate other pet foods.
Any claim referring to the product must be substantiated, must not confuse or mislead purchasers and must not denigrate other pet foods.
Regulation 767/2009 provides for industry to develop Codes of Good Practice to encourage both self-regulation in areas where regulation is top-level or non-existent, and to help promote a “level playing-field” approach with the EU. To that end, FEDIAF have developed a Code of Good Labelling Practice for Pet Food Labelling that provides more detailed guidance on claims and claims substantiation, including the definition of specific terms such as “fresh”, “natural” etc. The Code also contains a layman’s section where the key elements of pet food labelling, and the legal requirements behind them, are explained. The current version of the Code was recognised by the EU Commission in 2011.
Regulation 767/2009 provides for industry to develop Codes of Good Practice to encourage both self-regulation in areas where regulation is top-level or non-existent, and to help promote a “level playing-field” approach within the EU. To that end, FEDIAF have developed a Code of Good Labelling Practice for Pet Food Labelling that provides more detailed guidance on claims and claim substantiation, including the definition of specific terms such as “fresh”, “natural” etc. The Code also contains a layman’s section where the key elements of pet food labelling, and the legal requirements behind them, are explained. The current version of the Code was recognised by the EU Commission in 2011.
=== Useful Websites ===
=== Useful Websites ===