How Pet Food is Regulated - Nutrition

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 [[Image:|300px|center]] Educational Brief Underpinning much of what pet owner 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 the information they require to explain issues pet owners have about pet food. By Professor Dan Chan

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.