Regulation of Pet Food in Europe

Introduction

Within the European Union (EU), there are three main legislative bodies - the EU Commission, EU Parliament and Council of the European Union. These bodies are responsible for developing and adopting all legislation concerning food and animal feed, including pet food. The EU Member States, on the other hand, are responsible for the implementation and control of correct application of the EU legislation. In EU legal texts a distinction is made between the term “food” which is reserved for food stuffs for humans and “feed” which is designated to animal feeding stuffs.

Pet Food Safety

Two laws set out the basic principles for food and feed safety:

• the ‘general food law’ (Regulation N° 178/2002) and
• the ‘feed hygiene regulation' (Regulation N° 183/2005).

Regulations N° 1069/2009 and 999/2001 are more specific and provide strict rules to ensure that all animal products used in animal feed and human food are safe. Regulation N° 1831/2003 regulates the additives used in animal feed. This means that all additives have to be evaluated on their safety before being used in animal feed. All approved additives are listed in the Register published by the EU Commission.

Labelling and Claims

Regulation N° 767/2009 provides rules for labelling, claims and other forms of marketing communication to make sure that the information provided to consumers is accurate and truthful. This regulation also provides for dietetic products products for particular nutritional purposes (PARNUT). Directive 2008/38/EC lists all approved PARNUT indications and the specific conditions for the diets that are put on the market for each those indications.

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.
• 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.
• Website of EFSA: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/ May 2017.