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The PFMA practice of only using materials
derived from animals passed as fit for human
consumption is now incorporated into the Animal
By-Products Order and PFMA member companies using
animal material derived from the UK are
recommended to only buy from and sell to companies
registered under the Animal By-Products Order.
There are also regulations governing labeling of
pet food. Pet food labeling is described later.
In the US and
Canada, the pet food industry is virtually
self-regulated. In the U.S., the Association of
American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) sets
guidelines and definitions for animal feed,
including pet foods. In Canada, there are
virtually no regulations in this industry. The
"Labeling Act" states that the label
must contain the name and address of the
manufacturer, the weight of the product, and if it
is made for a dog or cat. The Canadian Veterinary
Medical Association (CVMA) and the (Pet Food
Association of Canada (PFAC) are voluntary
organizations and relying on the integrity of the
company which they certify, stating that the
ingredients are not below minimum standards.
85%-90% of pet food sold in Canada is of US origin
and neither the CVMA or PFAC have any control over
the ingredients used in these foods.
The Pet Food
Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA) has
adopted many of the AAFCO conventions in labeling
and regulating the pet food industry. I have no
information about pet food regulatory bodies in
other countries.
Pet Food
Labeling
Most countries have
food labeling regulations. Pet-food manufactured
in the USA must be manufactured in accordance with
FDA and USDA regulations. It must state the source
species on the label e.g. "chicken
by-products" "horsemeat and horsemeat
by-products" unless the meat and meat
by-product are derived unless the meat and meat
by-products are from cattle, swine, sheep and
goats. Diseased tissue may not be used in
pet-food. However, at a rendering plant where
animals are processed en masse, the label of a
particular "run" of product is defined
by the predominance of a specific animal.
Something labeled "pig by-product" may
not be exclusively pig in origin, just mostly pig.
It is sold to pet-food manufacturers as "pig
by-products" which is what goes on the can
label. Often, only major ingredients are
listed by type. In Britain many
"economy" or "budget"
pet-foods simply state "meat and meat
derivatives". In most countries, there is no
requirement to name the source species of the
ingredient "animal fat".
In the USA, AAFCO
does not permit "all" or
"100%" to be used on any product
containing several ingredients (necessary
additives such as water, preservatives or
"condiments" are not considered to be
"ingredients") . All-meat diets are not
nutritionally balanced, but due to consumer demand
some manufacturers produce 95% and 100% canned
meats. These are supplemental or complementary
foods and the label must state this. AAFCO states
that cat foods labeled "dinner" contains
at least 25% (by weight) of the named meat/fish
and must have a description which implies that
other ingredients are present (e.g. a descriptor
such as recipe, platter, entrée (excluding water)
do not have to be listed.
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