What's in the Bag? Part 1

Understanding the Pet Food Industry & who regulates it

Before we continue it is important to understand who regulates the main stream pet food industry.

Picture from truthaboutpetfood.com

USA

We discuss mainly the US regulating bodies and their standards as they are the largest pet food regulating authority in the world. Most other countries use these standards.

AAFCO - Association of American Feed Control Officials

​According to their website, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is “an independent membership association of local, state and federal agencies charged by law to regulate the sale and distribution of animal feeds and animal drug remedies.” AAFCO doesn’t have any regulatory authority itself, but its guidelines are used by government agencies.

According the their site they have three main goals:

• Safeguarding the health of animals and humans
• Ensure consumer protection
• Providing a level playing field of orderly commerce for the animal feed industry.​

FDA, USDA & CVM 

The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulate the safety of pet foods. The FDA is the ultimate regulating authority regarding that. The FDA monitors food branding, ingredient safety and within the FDA the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) monitors health claims.
Only the FDA has the authority to recall pet foods. It is important to note (for later posts) that the FDA makes no distinction between raw and cooked pet foods and that they only test raw foods for contamination.

Other countries

South Africa

Pet Food Industry Association of Southern Africa (PFISA)
PFISA is a non-profit formed by pet food manufacturers. It represents 62% of the pet food market in South Africa and according to their website: "​Pet food is randomly and regularly purchased by the PFI, and submitted for independent analysis."

Europe

The European Pet Food Industry (fediaf) is represented by various pet food organisations across 18 countries in Europe.
Notably on the list of 5 United Kingdom representatives Nestlè Purina and HIll's Pet Nutrition are also members of this body.
The mission on their website states:
"To be the credible and responsible voice of the European pet food industry collaborating with authorities, regulators and academics for achieving favourable conditions for the supply of safe, nutritious and palatable products."

Canada

The Canadian Vetrinary Medical Association (CVMA)  list their priorities as follows:

• Leadership on national veterinary issues
• Animal welfare advocacy
• A successful career, a balanced life

Interestingly the FDA does not allow the CVMA logo on packaging of foods exported to the US from Canada.