Pet Regulation Authorities

 

Pet Food Authorities and Regulations in Leading Nations 

With hundreds of pet food brands trying to reach pet parents, it’s useful to get a bird’s eye view of the current industry. This will enable you to make wiser decisions while choosing your pet’s food. How do you make sure appropriate regulations are followed by all pet food manufacturers?

The animal feed includes food and drugs for cats, dogs, and animal husbandry (fisheries, cattle, poultry). 

Developed markets like the US and Europe have established bodies to analyze and market pet foods sensibly. They ensure that the animals consume well manufactured and effectively labeled feeds.

US Regulatory Bodies

The US has one of the strongest pet nutrition ecosystems in the world. Let’s see how the regulatory system functions with pet food.

FDA

TheFood and Drug Administration (FDA) works with the State Department of agriculture in enforcing pet food regulations. 

 

FDA duties include:

• Pet food ingredient supplies (excluding meat of USDA), inspections, and production.
• Studies based on customer and veterinary approach.
• FDA works together withAAFCO forming (state) acts, describing ingredients, instituting nutritional desires for pet/animal food.
• Supports or rejects extracts and processing foods by AAFCO (Generally Recognized as Safe – GRAS ingredients).

State Department of Agriculture duties include: 

• Testing pet food labels WRT labeling laws.
• Inspect pet foods for guaranteed analysis claims and bacteria presence.
• They exercise with the FDA to foray into pet food factories.
• State dept. enforces AAFCO guidelines, ingredients, balanced or processed feeds for pets.

AAFCO

Association of American Feed Control Officials is an independent organization consisting of State Department of Agriculture and FDA members.

 

AAFCO duties include:

• It defines nutritional foods of cat and dog (producing balanced diets).
• AAFCO has no regulatory power with pet food.
• AAFCO passes Bills which are usually enforced as state laws by certain states (but not recognized in all states). 
• AAFCO produces unique legal definitions for pet food/ ingredients, also the labeling rules.

USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is autonomous and bears a voluntary pet food license. They are licensed by FSIS (Food Safety Inspection Services) to supply meat largely for humans rather than pets and have inspection authority of both pet and human feeds. 

NRC

Food guidelines offered by AAFCO are industry standard (designed to flourish in the dry pet food industry) instead of scientific standard (species appropriate).The Nuclear Regulatory Commission or NRC provides expert advice based on sound scientific evidence. AAFCO doesn’t uphold all the NRC guidelines.

Europe Regulatory Bodies

Europe has also taken strong measures in the last 10 years to enhance quality control and monitoring in pet food manufacturing. 

FEDIAF

European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF)provides a range of carefully prepared products to help ensure long, healthy and active lives of millions of pets in Europe.

Formed by independent vets throughout Europe to:

• Produce pet feeds that are biochemical, bacteriological and organoleptic controlled.
• Define nutritional benchmarks for European pet food manufacturers.
• Provide scientific details on formulations.
• FEDIAF listens to AAFCO & other national organizations to stay updated on the latest feeds & scientific requirements of pets.

PFMA

PFMA (Pet Food Manufacturers Association) duties include: 

• They are the primary trade authority signifying the pet food industry in the UK.
• PFMA interacts with FEDIAF to form nutritional diets.
• Promote responsible pet ownership.
• Express opinions to UK and EU government branches and enforcement specialists.

Also Read:Pet Food Labels 

Few other developed nations including Australia have a very strong ecosystem to manage pet food manufacturing.

What About Pet Food Regulations in India? 

Increased pet ownership has contributed to large pet food needs in India. Indian pet food productions within 2020-25 reach a CAGR of 13.5%. 

India, being one of the largest animal husbandry powerhouses in the world, has strict laws, regulations and monitoring in fisheries, cattle and poultry farming. The focus on regulating the quality of pet foods in India has not become a priority for the government yet. The lack of regulations will lead to food brands working in favor of their profits, rather than your pet’s health.

Minimal licenses such asFSSAI manufacturing, FSSAI marketing and BIS for pet foods merely have oversight on processing, packaging and marketing practices. 

All in all, there areZERO laws in India that mandate a pet food brand to work in favor of your pet’s health.

India based Pet Food Brands end up following AAFCO standards, which are the minimum standards for pet nutrition in American conditions. Feeding your pet inappropriate food is bound to induce long term chronic issues, many of which are too late to treat when diagnosed.

 

What to do if you are a pet parent in India?

It’s best to work with a canine nutritionist to figure out your pet’s specific health needs and choose the food accordingly. Go for freshly prepared meals rather than highly processed dry or wet dog food to give your pet a healthier and longer life.

Healthy Barks is a nutrition first pet food brand, we deliver your pet’s freshly made meals right at your doorstep. We have customised meal options specially designed for your dog in order to fulfill their unique nutritional requirements. Give your pet a healthy life today! 

Be a part of the Indian pet food revolution with us :) 

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Book a free, in-person consultation with the Healthy Barks familyhere or feel free to call or drop us a ‘Hi’ on WhatsApp at +91 - 76767 20200. 

Come and enjoy a food tasting session with us!

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