The FDA regulates that can of cat food, bag of dog food, or box of dog treats or snacks in your pantry. The FDA’s regulation of pet food is similar to that for other animal feeds. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) requires that pet foods, like human foods, be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled. In addition, canned pet foods must be processed in conformance with the low acid canned food regulations to ensure the pet food is free of viable microorganisms (see Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 113).
FDA Regulation of Pet Food
There is no requirement that pet food products have pre-market approval by the FDA. However, FDA ensures that the ingredients used in pet food are safe and have an appropriate function in the pet food. Many ingredients such as meat, poultry and grains are considered safe and do not require pre-market approval. Other substances such as sources of minerals, vitamins or other nutrients, flavorings and preservatives, or processing aids may be generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use (See Title 21 CFR 582 and 584) or must have approval as food additives (See 21 CFR 570, 571 and 573). Colorings must have approvals for that use as specified in 21 CFR Part 70 and be listed in Parts 73, 74, or 81). For more information about pet foods and marketing a pet food, see FDA’s Regulation of Pet Food and Information on Marketing A Pet Food Product.
Pet food labeling is regulated at two levels. The current FDA regulations require proper identification of the product, net quantity statement, name and place of business of the manufacturer or distributor, and a proper listing of all the ingredients in the product in order from most to least, based on weight. Recent legislation in the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 requires FDA to establish by regulation – (1) ingredient standards and definitions with respect to pet food; (2) processing standards for pet food; and, (3) updated standards for the labeling of pet food that include nutritional and ingredient information. FDA is working on this legislative mandate. Comments concerning this initiative can be made at http://www.regulations.gov to Docket No. FDA-2007-N-0442. Some states also enforce their own labeling regulations. Many of these regulations are based on a model provided by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). For more information about AAFCO1, please visit its website. For more information about labeling requirements, see Interpreting Pet Food Labels.
FDA also reviews specific claims on pet food, such as “maintains health of urinary tract,” “low magnesium,” “reduces plaque and tartar,” “reduces hairballs in cats,” and “improved digestibility.” Guidance for collecting data to make a urinary tract health claim is available in Guideline 552 on the CVM portion of the FDA internet site.
CVM DOES NOT recommend one product over another or offer guidance on individual pet health issues that are normally provided by the pet’s veterinarian. Questions regarding your pets' health and/or the specific use of any veterinary drug, pet food, or other product should always be referred to your veterinarian.
Information for Consumers
- Purchasing Pet Drugs Online: Buyer Beware3
FDA Consumer Update, February 20, 2009 - Safe Handling Tips for Pet Foods and Treats4
FDA Consumer Update, February 20, 2009 - Caution in Feeding Chicken Jerky to Dogs5
FDA Consumer Update, December 24, 2008 - Caution to Dog Owners About Chicken Jerky Products6
FDA Consumer Update, December 24, 2008 - Caution to Pet Owners – Pet Treats and Toys May Cause Problems for Your Pet7
Information for Consumers, December 2005 - Ask CVM 8
Information on Manufacturing and Marketing a Pet Treat from FDA Veterinarian, Sept./Oct. 2004 - FDA's Regulation of Pet Food9
March 2000 - Pet Food Labels - General10
June 1999 - VEGETARIAN DIETS FOR PETS?11
FDA Veterinarian, May/June 1999 - Information on Marketing a Pet Food Product12
March 1999 - Selecting Nutritious Pet Foods13
November 1997
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