Difference between revisions of "How Pet Food is Regulated - Nutrition"

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|categories = [[Pet Food - Nutrition|'''Pet Food''']]  
 
|categories = [[Pet Food - Nutrition|'''Pet Food''']]  
 
|text = Pet food in developed countries is regulated at every stage, from the ingredients used, through the production process and through to marketing and sales. Much of the legislation applies to pet food in the same way as it does to other product categories like, for instance, human food. Often more specific regulations cover both farm feed and pet food with specific legal provisions that are only applicable to pet food.  
 
|text = Pet food in developed countries is regulated at every stage, from the ingredients used, through the production process and through to marketing and sales. Much of the legislation applies to pet food in the same way as it does to other product categories like, for instance, human food. Often more specific regulations cover both farm feed and pet food with specific legal provisions that are only applicable to pet food.  
 
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Additionally, the pet food industry within a country can be self-regulated through a series of industry Codes or Guidelines that provide detailed rules for practical implementation of legislation or establish rules in fields that are not regulated by law.  
 
Additionally, the pet food industry within a country can be self-regulated through a series of industry Codes or Guidelines that provide detailed rules for practical implementation of legislation or establish rules in fields that are not regulated by law.  
 
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The objectives of legislation and self-regulation are to ensure that pet food products fulfil the nutritional need of pets, are safe for both animals and people, and that the information to consumers is accurate and truthful. Wherever pet food is manufactured, it has to meet legal requirements established by the country or region in which it is sold.  
 
The objectives of legislation and self-regulation are to ensure that pet food products fulfil the nutritional need of pets, are safe for both animals and people, and that the information to consumers is accurate and truthful. Wherever pet food is manufactured, it has to meet legal requirements established by the country or region in which it is sold.  
 
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The following sections describe the way pet food is regulated in the European Union and in the United States. Pet food provisions also exist in many other countries around the world.
 
The following sections describe the way pet food is regulated in the European Union and in the United States. Pet food provisions also exist in many other countries around the world.
 
|content =  
 
|content =  
 
:[[Regulation of Pet Food in Europe]]
 
:[[Regulation of Pet Food in Europe]]
 
:[[Regulation of Pet Food in the USA]]
 
:[[Regulation of Pet Food in the USA]]
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:[[Pet Food Industry Associations]]
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:[[Dog and Cat Nutritional Guidelines]]
  
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|resources = {{EduBrief|text = Underpinning much of what pet owners find difficult to understand (e.g., pet food labels, manufacturing practices, types of pet foods available) is closely related to how the pet food industry is regulated. For example, what is and is not allowed to be stated on a pet food label is mandated by regulatory agencies. This is the reason much of what is on a pet food label is not inherently easy to understand by pet owners and veterinary professionals alike. Other aspects of pet foods such as the ingredients used, how they are declared, tested and marketed are also related to regulation. In this section, aspects of pet food industry subject to regulation are clarified and should provide veterinary professionals with the information they require to explain issues pet owners have about pet food.}}
 
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|editor1 = [http://regulatorydiscretion.com/Page_3.html Dr. David A. Dzanis]
 
|editor1 = [http://regulatorydiscretion.com/Page_3.html Dr. David A. Dzanis]
 
|editor2 = [[Sarah Abood|Dr. Sarah K. Abood]]
 
|editor2 = [[Sarah Abood|Dr. Sarah K. Abood]]
|date = April 2017
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|date = May 2017
 
}}
 
}}
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{{Mars Petcare}}
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{{OpenPages}}
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[[Category:Pet Food Regulation]]
 
[[Category:Pet Food Regulation]]
 
[[Category:To Do - Nutrition]]
 
[[Category:To Do - Nutrition]]
 
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[[Category:Pet Food]]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
== Introduction ==
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
== Europe ==
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
== USA ==
 
 
 
Under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has jurisdiction over all animal feeds in interstate commerce such as pet food (LINK to pet food section p. 8), supplements and ingredients, including imported products. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates meat and poultry products for human consumption, materials of animal origin intended for animal consumption are under FDA jurisdiction. The FFDCA requires that all animal foods be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances and be truthfully labelled (LINKs to details on food & feed safety section p. 7).
 
 
 
 
 
The Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 (FSMA) amended FFDCA to set forth requirements for pet food manufacturers to establish preventive controls and follow Current  Good Manufacturing Practices. The Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) within FDA ensures that additives and ingredients used in pet food are safe and have a proper function and enforces basic animal feed labeling requirements (e.g., statement of identity, net content statement, ingredient declaration, manufacturer's or distributor's name and address).
 
 
 
 
 
Most of the individual states within the U.S.A. also regulate pet foods (including treats, supplements and edible chews) that are offered for sale within their jurisdiction. To facilitate uniform interpretation and enforcement of state regulations, the majority of those states follow the model laws and regulations as set forth by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). These models augment and complement the FDA regulations, covering many aspects of labeling not addressed at the federal level. 
 
 
 
 
 
The AAFCO also sets nutrient standards for substantiation of nutritional adequacy and defines ingredients and specifies acceptable ingredient names. AAFCO is a private organization, but all AAFCO members must be state or federal government officials. Laws and regulations developed by AAFCO are not directly enforceable, because AAFCO is not a governmental institution, but AAFCO provides a forum whereby control officials, industry associations and consumer groups meet in partnership to address problems and provide guidance. The AAFCO remains the recognized information source for pet food labelling, ingredient definitions, official terms and standardized feed testing methodology. This information is published annually in their Official Publication (LINK). Feed control officials within each state inspect facilities and enforce these regulations.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
== Pet Food Industry Associations ==
 
 
 
 
 
=== [http://www.gapfa.org GAPFA (Global Alliance of Pet Food Industry Associations)]===
 
GAPFA brings together 13 national and regional pet food associations globally as well as corporate members with a focus on food for dogs and cats. GAPFA was officially established in November 2014 under Belgian law.
 
The GAPFA mission is to support the health and wellbeing of pets and to promote the benefits of living with them, by providing a forum for global industry consensus to address key mutual issues. Its vision is to be recognized as the global voice of the pet food industry. The focus of GAPFA is to harness the collective knowledge and experience of the global pet food industry with the objective to develop science-based global nutritional and safety standards which will provide reference and will facilitate trade of pet food.
 
 
 
 
 
===[http://www.petfoodinstitute.org Pet Food Institute (PFI)] ===
 
Pet Food Institute (PFI) is the main Trade Association of dog and cat food manufacturers in the USA. Affiliate members of PFI include the leading suppliers of equipment, ingredients, packaging and services to the United States pet food industry. 
 
The PFI was organized in 1958 as the national trade association of dog and cat food manufacturers in the United States of America. Active members of PFI produce 95% of the total dog and cat food tonnage in the United States. Affiliate members of PFI include the leading suppliers of equipment, ingredients, packaging and services to the United States pet food industry. PFI works closely with veterinarians, humane groups and local animal control officers to encourage responsible dog and cat ownership.  It also represents the industry before legislative and regulatory bodies at the federal and state levels.
 
 
 
 
 
=== [http://www.fediaf.org FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation)] ===
 
Established in 1970, the Fédération Européenne de l’Industrie des Aliments pour Aminaux Familiers (FEDIAF), the European Pet Food Industry Federation, represents the pet food industry in Europe and unites the national professional organizations of 26 European countries, whether or not belonging to the EU, via 18 national or regional pet food industry associations<ref name="FEDIAF">FEDIAF [http://www.fediaf.org website]</ref>(8). The FEDIAF represents around 650 companies<ref name="FEDIAF"/> responsible for producing more than 90% of European pet food. The national organizations represent manufacturers, packers and importers of prepared pet food, including foods for dogs, cats, birds, and other pets.
 
 
 
The FEDIAF represents the European pet food industry in all external forums. Through its national Associations, the FEDIAF also collaborates with local and national authorities. As a competent partner, FEDIAF cooperates with the European authorities to implement pet food law designed to ensure the manufacture and distribution of safe, nutritionally balanced and palatable pet food products. This has led to a development of Self Regulation in a form of three industry Codes, which have been recognized by the EU authorities. The 3 self-regulating FEDIAF Codes are
 
*the “Guide to good practice for the manufacture of safe pet foods” (LINK),
 
*the “FEDIAF Code of good labelling practice for pet food” (LINK), and
 
*the “Nutrition guidelines for complete and complementary pet food for cats and dogs” (LINK). 
 
Wherever possible, FEDIAF strongly encourages responsible dog and cat ownership.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
== Dog and Cat Nutritional Guidelines ==
 
 
 
 
 
=== National Research Council (NRC) Publications ===
 
[[File:Nutritional Requirements Dogs and Cat.jpeg|200px|right|thumb|Front cover of the NRC publication: Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and cats]]
 
The NRC was established by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916<ref name="NRC">National Research Council. '''''Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats'''''. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2006.</ref>.  It is not part of the United States government and is not an enforcement agency, but was expressly commissioned to provide advice to the U.S. government on scientific and technical matters. The activities of the NRC Committee on animal nutrition include the development of nutrient requirement standards for domestic and laboratory animals such as the Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats 2006, written by the ad hoc Committee on dog and cat nutrition. The 2006 NRC publication provides a thorough review of the scientific literature and makes recommendations for both the minimum requirement and safe upper limit of intake of nutrients in healthy dogs and cats. Although the 2006 edition has added values of recommended allowances, nutrient availability and digestibility of pet foods processed with typical ingredients may still differ. While the publication is not used directly to establish regulatory standards for commercial pet foods, the recommendations contained in the NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats are considered by other organizations charged with that task (e.g., FEDIAF, AAFCO). It is an important source of research information on small animal nutrition, and is cited frequently in the scientific literature.
 
 
 
 
 
===[http://www.fediaf.org/self-regulation/nutrition/ FEDIAF Nutrition Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs] ===
 
The Nutritional and Analytical Sciences Working Group of FEDIAF developed nutritional guidelines for cats and dogs, which are updated as soon as new scientific data become available. The objective is to provide practical nutrient recommendations for pet food manufacturers when formulating products for healthy dogs and cats during adulthood, growth and reproduction, and to be the reference document on pet nutrition in Europe for EU and local authorities, consumer organisations, professionals, and customers. The guidelines use NRC recommendations and studies published by internationally recognized nutritionists, veterinarians and other researchers. AAFCO official publications are also taken in consideration. The nutrient levels take into account the (lower) energy requirements of household pets and, where possible, availability data from practical pet foods. The FEDIAF Nutritional and Analytical Sciences Working Group cooperates with a Scientific Advisory Board of 10 leading nutritionists from different European universities.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
=== Official Publication of the [http://www.aafco.org/ Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)] ===
 
In 1990 and 1991, AAFCO established the Canine Nutrition Expert (CNE) and Feline Nutrition Expert (FNE) subcommittees<ref name="Roudebush">Roudebush P, Dzanis DA, Debraekeleer J, Watson H. '''''Chapter 9. Pet Food Labels. In: Small Animal Clinical Nutrition''''' 5th edition, MS Hand, CD Thatcher, RL Remillard, P Roudebush, BJ Novotny, edits. M. Morris Institute Topeka, KS, USA 2010; 191-206</ref>. The CNE and FNE subcommittees were charged with updating practical nutrient profiles for both dog and cat foods based on commonly used ingredients<ref name="AAFCO1">Association of American Feed Control Officials. '''''Official Publication 2015'''''.</ref>. The profiles are updated periodically, the last revision occurring in 2016. Under the AAFCO model regulations, meeting the AAFCO Dog and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles is one basis for substantiation of nutritional adequacy (complete and balanced) of a product for the designated life stage<ref name="AAFCO1"/>.  The alternative means of ensuring nutritional adequacy of a food is either to perform feeding trials according to standardized feed testing methodology developed by AAFCO, or to formulate the product to meet the criteria as a member of a product family, i.e., a group of similar products whose lead member was demonstrated to be complete and balanced  through passage of a feeding trial. All products sold as "complete and balanced" in the U.S.A. must substantiate nutritional adequacy through one of these methods, as no other nutritional authorities are recognized.  Those that do not and are not prominently identified as a "snack," "treat" or "supplement" must bear the statement "This product is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only."
 
 
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
 
 
*Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 of 25 February 2011 implementing Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down health rules as regards animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption and implementing Council Directive 97/78/EC as regards certain samples and items exempt from veterinary checks at the border under that Directive OJ L 54, 26.02.2011, p. 1-254.
 
*Directive 2002/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 May 2002 on undesirable substances in animal feed - Council statement OJ L140, 30/05/2002, p. 10-22.
 
*Dzanis DA. Are you ready for FSMA? The final rule has been published - is your company prepared for the changes? Pet Food Industry.com, October 12, 2015.
 
*Dzanis DA. Understanding regulations affecting pet foods. Top Companion Anim. Med. 2008; 23 (3): 117-120.
 
*FDA website: http://www.fda.gov March 2016
 
*FEDIAF website: www.fediaf.org 
 
*National Research Council. Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2006.
 
*Pet Food Institute—Fact Sheet 1994. Veterinary Clinical Nutrition 1994; 1: 30-38.
 
*Phillips-Donaldson D. 6 things you need to know about FSMA pet food safety rule. - The FSMA animal feed preventive control rule goes into effect November 17. Pet Food Industry.com, October 9, 2015.
 
*Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on additives for use in animal nutrition. OJ. L 268, 18/10/2003 p. 29-43.
 
*USDA Website: http://www.usda.gov March 2016.
 
*Website of EFSA: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/ March 2016.
 
*Website of the European Union: http://ec.europa.eu March 2016.
 
*Commission Directive 2008/38/EC of 5 March 2008 establishing a list of intended uses of animal feedingstuffs for particular nutritional purposes. OJ. L 62, 06 March 2008 p. 9-22.
 
 
 
 
 
[[Category:To Do - Nutrition]]
 

Latest revision as of 09:38, 14 June 2017



How Pet Food is Regulated
This section is part of Pet Food

Pet food in developed countries is regulated at every stage, from the ingredients used, through the production process and through to marketing and sales. Much of the legislation applies to pet food in the same way as it does to other product categories like, for instance, human food. Often more specific regulations cover both farm feed and pet food with specific legal provisions that are only applicable to pet food.

Additionally, the pet food industry within a country can be self-regulated through a series of industry Codes or Guidelines that provide detailed rules for practical implementation of legislation or establish rules in fields that are not regulated by law.

The objectives of legislation and self-regulation are to ensure that pet food products fulfil the nutritional need of pets, are safe for both animals and people, and that the information to consumers is accurate and truthful. Wherever pet food is manufactured, it has to meet legal requirements established by the country or region in which it is sold.

The following sections describe the way pet food is regulated in the European Union and in the United States. Pet food provisions also exist in many other countries around the world.


Section Content:

Regulation of Pet Food in Europe
Regulation of Pet Food in the USA
Pet Food Industry Associations
Dog and Cat Nutritional Guidelines


DF3W0401a.jpg




Buddy graduate transparent.png
Educational Brief
Underpinning much of what pet owners find difficult to understand (e.g., pet food labels, manufacturing practices, types of pet foods available) is closely related to how the pet food industry is regulated. For example, what is and is not allowed to be stated on a pet food label is mandated by regulatory agencies. This is the reason much of what is on a pet food label is not inherently easy to understand by pet owners and veterinary professionals alike. Other aspects of pet foods such as the ingredients used, how they are declared, tested and marketed are also related to regulation. In this section, aspects of pet food industry subject to regulation are clarified and should provide veterinary professionals with the information they require to explain issues pet owners have about pet food.
By Professor Dan Chan



Endorsed by Mars Petcare, the world’s leading pet nutrition and health care business that strives to make A Better World for Pets every day. Mars logo.png


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