Specialty Pet Food Products & Pet Food Label Modernization FAQ
As a manufacturer of pet or specialty pet food, or perhaps as an ingredient supplier to these manufacturers, you are likely aware that changes are coming for product labels.
In this blog, we explain the high-level changes are coming with the updates to labeling recommendations known as Pet Food Label Modernization, as well as the impacts to testing. Below you’ll find answers to some frequently asked questions from specialty pet product manufacturers.
As a reminder, specialty pets are animals such as, but not limited to: Pet rodents like hamsters, guinea pigs, or similar, pet fish, pet birds such as cockatiels, budgies or similar, pet reptiles, etc. These guidelines are for non-commercial animals that are common household pets outside of the dog or cat species.
Background
The Association of American Feed Control Officials, AAFCO, officially rolled out recommendations for new label requirements on pet food and specialty pet food products. While AAFCO is not a regulatory body, US states have widely agreed they will adopt the recommended changes as listed in AAFCO’s Official Publication.
This update to labeling recommendations, known as Pet Food Label Modernization or PFLM, has been in progress for many years. Industry experts, regulators, and consumers all played a critical role in the recommended changes coming to fruition. Pet Food Label Modernization encompasses changes to the Primary Display Panel (PDP) and Nutrition Statements on pet and specialty pet food, treats, toppers, and supplements.
The previous guidelines set forth by AAFCO were referred to as a Guaranteed Analysis. A Guaranteed Analysis lists a minimum percentage of crude protein, a minimum percentage of crude fat, a maximum percentage of crude fiber, and a maximum percentage of moisture on pet foods, treats, and toppers/mix-ins. While some of these reported nutrients will stay on the label, some will be removed and the formatting will be much more aligned with human food products.
Which nutrients will stay on specialty pet food labels?
Crude protein will remain but be listed as protein, and crude fat but will be listed as fat. Moisture will remain unchanged.
Which nutrients will no longer be listed on specialty pet food labels?
Crude fiber will no longer be explicitly listed on labels.
Which nutrients will be added to specialty pet food labels?
Total carbohydrate values (calculated) and dietary fiber as a subset of the total carbohydrate values will be added to the label. Unlike pet food product labels, specialty pet foods do not have requirements for total calories, calories from protein, calories from fat, or calories from carbohydrates to be listed.
What does this mean in terms of testing?
Specialty pet food products will need additional assays performed, namely dietary fiber. Additionally, you may want third-party assistance in determining your serving size weight as both a household unit and weight are required on the Pet Nutrition Facts box. You should consider additional testing if you list voluntary claims on your product’s packaging. Voluntary claims may be nutrients like starch, omegas, vitamins, and other nutrients.
What dietary fiber method should be used?
This is a complex question that will be product dependent. Testing professionals recognize AOAC 991.43 as an appropriate method for most products, however, there could be instances where an alternate method is needed to quantify all fiber present in a product. AOAC 991.43 does measure high molecular weight soluble dietary fibers (ones that will precipitate in ethanol) and insoluble dietary fibers but does not measure the soluble fibers that are still soluble when ethanol is introduced. When oligosaccharides and inulin are present in a product, alternate methods such as AOAC 2009.01, AOAC 2011.25, AOAC 2017.16, or 2022.01 via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) should be considered to capture low molecular weight dietary fibers.
Still have questions? Need more guidance?
Eurofins can help you navigate the new labeling requirements and perform testing to align with the updates. Reach out today.
