Changes

==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 product 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<ref name = "Regulation 767">Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 on the placing on the market and use of feed, amending European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 and repealing Council Directive 79/373/EEC ... OJ. L229, 1/09/2009, p. 1-28. </ref>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).  

== Definitions ==

== Definitions ==

For clarity it is important that terms used in the legislation are well defined. This is established in Article 3 of Regulation 767/2009, and some important definitions are given hereafter: <br>

For clarity it is important that terms used in the legislation are well defined. This is established in Article 3 of Regulation 767/2009<ref name = "Regulation 767" />, and some important definitions are given hereafter: <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>

'''(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>

== Mandatory Declarations ==

== Mandatory Declarations ==

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<ref>Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 on the placing on the market and use of feed, amending European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 and repealing Council Directive 79/373/EEC ... OJ. L229, 1/09/2009, p. 1-28.</ref>). Mandatory information must be provided in at least one of the official languages of the Member States in which it is sold.  

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<ref name = "Regulation 767" />). Mandatory information must be provided in at least one of the official languages of the Member States in which it is sold.  

== Mandatory Labelling Requirements ==

== Mandatory Labelling Requirements ==

:'''12. Additional Labelling Requirement'''

:'''12. Additional Labelling Requirement'''

::Pet food has an additional labelling requirement in Regulation 767/2009<ref>15. Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 on the placing on the market and use of feed, amending European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 and repealing Council Directive 79/373/EEC ... OJ. L229, 1/09/2009, p. 1-28.</ref>, 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 single feed material. (See[[Common Ingredients Used In Pet Food]]).

::Pet food has an additional labelling requirement in Regulation 767/2009<ref name = "Regulation 767" />, 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 single feed material. (See[[Common Ingredients Used In Pet Food]]).

== Derogation ==

== Derogation ==

== Analytical Constituents ==

== Analytical Constituents ==

Regulation 767/2009 requires that under “Analytical Constituents” of both complete and complementary feeds the typical analysis of nutrients must be declared. In Europe, the typical (proximate) analysis has to be declared. This is the typical nutrient level obtained by considering the results of analysis of several samples. In other words, the typical analysis gives the nutrient levels found in the actual food. The declaration of the following nutrients is mandatory for pet foods for dogs and cats:

Regulation 767/2009 <ref name = "Regulation 767" />requires that under “Analytical Constituents” of both complete and complementary feeds the typical analysis of nutrients must be declared. In Europe, the typical (proximate) analysis has to be declared. This is the typical nutrient level obtained by considering the results of analysis of several samples. In other words, the typical analysis gives the nutrient levels found in the actual food. The declaration of the following nutrients is mandatory for pet foods for dogs and cats:

:* Crude Protein

:* Crude Protein

=== Which Additives Must Be Declared on the Label? ===

=== Which Additives Must Be Declared on the Label? ===

According to Regulation 767/2009, the following additives have to be declared if added by the manufacturer:

According to Regulation 767/2009<ref name = "Regulation 767" />, the following additives have to be declared if added by the manufacturer:

* 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.

'''PARNUT''' = Feeding stuffs for '''PAR'''ticular '''NUT'''ritional purposes

'''PARNUT''' = Feeding stuffs for '''PAR'''ticular '''NUT'''ritional purposes

Articles 9 & 10 of Regulation 767/2009 provide the basis for feeding stuffs intended for particular nutritional purposes, in other words '''‘dietetic (pet) foods’'''. Feed intended for particular nutritional purposes may only be marketed as such if the intended use (PARNUT indication) is included in the list of intended uses published in Directive 2008/38/EC, which establishes a list of intended uses of animal feeding stuffs for particular nutritional purposes.

Articles 9 & 10 of Regulation 767/2009<ref name = "Regulation 767" /> provide the basis for feeding stuffs intended for particular nutritional purposes, in other words '''‘dietetic (pet) foods’'''. Feed intended for particular nutritional purposes may only be marketed as such if the intended use (PARNUT indication) is included in the list of intended uses published in Directive 2008/38/EC, which establishes a list of intended uses of animal feeding stuffs for particular nutritional purposes.

== Claims ==

== Claims ==

Regulation 767/2009 states that the labelling and the presentation of feed shall not mislead the user, in particular:

Regulation 767/2009 <ref name = "Regulation 767" />states that the labelling and the presentation of feed shall not mislead the user, in particular:

'''a.''' As to the intended use or characteristics of the feed, in particular, the nature, method of manufacture or production, properties, etc. (article 11).<br>

'''a.''' As to the intended use or characteristics of the feed, in particular, the nature, method of manufacture or production, properties, etc. (article 11).<br>

Any claim referring to the product must be substantiated, must not confuse or mislead purchasers and must 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 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.

Regulation 767/2009 <ref name = "Regulation 767" />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 ==