Friday, June 22, 2007

Dog Food Label Regulations

Article Title: Dog Food Label Regulations
Author: Tracy Phillips

The label on a dog food product gives a great deal of
information about the product inside the bag, box, can or
carton. To interpret this data properly, it is necessary to
know and understand the various parts of the label copy and the
regulations involved. The purpose of this article is to explain
current pet food regulations, and what the dog owner can
determine from information provided on the label.

Manufacturer's Information

Each label shall show the name and address of the manufacturer,
packer or distributor of the dog food. If a manufacturer has
several locations where dog food is produced, the name and
address of that manufacturer's principal place of business will
be used.
Net Weight

The net weight statement must be shown on the principal display
panel. The declaration of the net weight shall be made in
conformity with the U.S. Fair Packaging and Labeling Act and
the regulations promulgated there under.

The figures for net weight will be in the lower one-third of
the display panel, and the size of the numbers and letters will
be determined by the package size.

Net weights may appear on other parts of the label as well as
the principal display panel, particularly on larger package
sizes. Net weight statement must include weight in metric
conversion.

Nutritional Adequacy Statement

The label shall show whether or not the product provides
complete and balanced nutrition, and if it is adequate for all
life stages or just for a particular life stage, such as
maintenance of the adult cat or dog.

Toll-Free Consumer Information Number

Although this is not a required element, some manufacturers
include an 800 number on the label. This is an important
element for consumers because it can be a source of information
not available on the label and a way for dog owners to learn
more about the product they are feeding.

Who Establishes and Governs Label Requirement Policies?

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)
develops the regulations for livestock and companion animal
foods. The regulations are published annually in the AAFCO
Official Publication.

About The Author: The label on a dog food product gives a great
deal of information about the product inside the bag, box, can
or carton. To interpret this data properly, it is necessary to
know and understand the various parts of the label copy and the
regulations involved. http://www.linkbrander.com/go/45132

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1 comment:

Bala said...

Sir
See if there is a label it will say everything is ok. Would you buy a dog food which says that it is not nutritionally inadequate? Things like wt is easily verifiable. But how can i verify whether adequate vitamin c is present in the food in a simple way. I cannot. Therefore it is all a blind belief. I have known well to do dog food companies mixing dead dog and cat meat. can i easily verify what one kibble of dog food contains? The Answer is NO. Putting a label is enforceable, but ensuring the content is also what is said is a far cry. When these company thinks of profits and margins all ethics take a back seat