Pet Food Labels

Question 1

Why is it important for you to understand pet food labels?

Answer 1

1. Clients look to you as knowledgable
2. Understanding patient needs
3. Food label provides a basis for your rec. or the O’s confusion

Question 2

What is AAFCO?

Answer 2

Association of American Feed Control Officials

Question 3

Official AAFCO Publication (5)

Answer 3

1. AAFCO philosophy
2. Model pet food regulations, including labeling
3. Official terms and ingredient definitions
4. Standardized feed testing methodology
5. Standard nutrient profiles

Question 4

What are the 7 requirements for pet food labels?

Answer 4

1. Brand name & product name
2. Designator
3. Guaranteed analysis
4. List of ingredients
5. Directions for use
6. Name and address of manufacturer
7. Quantity statement

Question 5

What is the front of the food bag called? the back?

Answer 5

The front is called the Principal display panel
Back is the Information panel

Question 6

What is the deinition of the principal display panel?

Answer 6

“the part of a label that is most likely to be displayed, presented, shown or examined under customary conditions of display for retail sale”

Question 7

What is required to be on the principal panel? (2)

Answer 7

Product name and brand name

Question 8

IF:
The product name is simple ingredient, such as “chicken, beef, or lamb,” then ___% of the contents must be that ingredient

Answer 8

90%

Question 9

IF:
The Product name is “chicken dinner, entrée, platter, stew, formula, or recipe” then contents must contain a minimum of ____% of that of that ingredient

Answer 9

25%

Question 10

IF:
The product name is “with chicken,” then contents must be a minimum of ____% of the named ingredient

Answer 10

3%

Question 11

IF:
The product name contains
“chicken flavor” then ___% is required

Answer 11

No specific %

Question 12

What is the “designator” in pet food labeling?

Answer 12

Who the food is aimed for.
Ex: Cats or dogs

Question 13

What will be on the guaranteed analysis on the info panel? Their max or min stated? (4)

Answer 13

1. Crude protein - min
2. Crude fat - min
3. Crude fiber - max
4. Moisture - max

Question 14

Info panel: What is in the ingredient statement? How is it structured? (3)

Answer 14

1. Must list each ingredient
2. List in descending order by weight
3. Must use AAFCO defined name

Question 15

Info panel: Directions for use
It will state “Feed ____ per ____ of dog/cat”

What are three things brands have to follow for the direction of use?

Answer 15

Feed “weight/unit of product” per “weight only” of dog/cat

• Common terms
• Frequency
• Appear prominently

Question 16

Special terms:
“Light” “Lite” & “Low Calorie” mean…
Less than ____ kcal/kg dry dog food & ____kcal/kg dry cat food

Answer 16

• Less than 3100 kcal/kg dry dog food
• Less than 3250 kcal/kg dry cat food

Question 17

What does “human grade” mean?

Answer 17

It means the entire product is suitable for human consumption

Question 18

What is NOT on the pet food label? (3)

Answer 18

1. Specific amount of each nutrient
2. Palatability
3. Bioavailability or digestibility

Question 19

Live vs lab testing

Answer 19

• Live: Tested on actual animals. This will be able to give an accurate gage of bioavailability
• Lab: Chem lab (etc) run on food for proteins. Not as accurate.