How do Dog Food Manufacturers in the USA Operate?

How do dog food manufacturers in the USA operate? In the US, the most regulated food product is pet food. The pet food manufacturing industry has to follow state and federal requirements. The US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulates the ingredients and the finished pet food product. Meanwhile, state regulations regarding pet food require manufacturers to register their products. FDA should accept all the ingredients in pet food. Furthermore, AAFCO (Association of American Feed Officials develops regulations and model bills for pet food, so states adopt it into their respective laws and regulations.

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USA Dog Food Manufacturers: Quality Control

Pet food manufacturers should follow the rules and regulations in manufacturing units. All the state and federal organizations, such as the Federal Trade Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the US Department of Agriculture work to check the product’s quality and standard. The US Department of Agriculture controls the meat’s quality and determines whether manufacturers should use animals for pet food manufacturing.

The FDA will regulate ingredients and set up minimum and maximum limits on different nutrients. Moreover, they ban the use of antibiotics or medications in foods. As children usually consume pet food accidentally, they need to be safe in such conditions.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials is a non-governmental advisory group and represents each state. They register brands and pet food after checking the quality.

Guaranteed Analysis

About a century ago, manufacturers used undesirable ingredients such as limestone and sand to increase the weight of their product. That is why the guaranteed analysis statement becomes necessary for food labels. According to guaranteed analysis, the product should contain minimum crude fat and crude protein and maximum crude moisture and fiber. Crude is the method for element testing.

Other guarantees will include minimum sodium, calcium, and linoleic acid in dog food. For cat food, this is magnesium, taurine, and ash. The maximum moisture for the canned food should be 78% and 12% moisture for the dry foods.

Labeling the Products

Manufacturers should properly label pet foods and provide accurate information so purchasers can decide. The AAFCO and the Center for Veterinary Medicine help setup the FDA guidelines. The label should include six elements:

1. Product name
2. Manufacturer’s name and address
3. Net weight
4. Ingredient list
5. Nutritional information
6. Guaranteed analysis

Manufacturers need to add the product name accurately and follow the percentage. Moreover, they should describe the content.

Regulations by Association of American Feed Control Officials

When it comes to grocery items, pet food manufacturers should follow high regulations of the product. Federal and state laws impose various regulations for pet food with regard to the manufacturing process, ingredients, and labeling. Furthermore, all the laws and regulations about pet food should work abiding by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. This organization regulates animal feed such as pet food and treats.

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Members of this organization develop standards about nutritional requirements, ingredient definitions, model laws and regulations, and labeling, and other guidelines for the pet food sector. They also promote standard laws and regulations for pet food, promote interstate commerce, and ensure consumer protection throughout the United States.

Regulation of Pet Food

On the federal level, FDA, FTC, and USDA regulate pet food. FTC and FDA take claims over labeling and advertising claims. Apart from that, FDA also regulates the finished products and pet food ingredients. Furthermore, FDA imposes requirements on all the other food items for people and pets. They ensure:

• That the product is wholesome and pure
• That the product is free from deleterious and harmful substances
• That the products are truthfully labeled
• That the canned products follow low acid canning regulations.

FDA and state regulators also regulate pet food plants. Furthermore, they test the ingredients in pet food and finished goods on a timely basis. They confirm that the product has the same nutritional content as the label mentions. These regulations ensure that the products are free from undesirable substances. Suppose the state regulators find the products insufficient and fail to meet the nutritional content. In that case, FDA will issue a warning to manufacturers if they find that the product is unsafe for pets and the environment.

Dog Food Manufacturers USA: Conclusion

If you want to know more about the state and the federal government’s regulations as related to pet food production, contact us at 802-752-4738. Also, if you want to customize your own pet product, consider Green Mountain Animal LLC, where we ensure that your product is according to government and state regulations.