How to Read a Pet Food Label (8) Flashcards
Dr. Shepherd
Who regulates pet food?
- FDA
- FTC (Federal Trade Commission)
- State feed control directives
What is involved in the federal Food and Drug Administration?
Food/feed/supplement ingredients must be either:
FDA-approved food additive
Generally recognized as safe
AAFCO-defined ingredient
T/F: AAFCO is a regulatory body
FALSE
What are State Feed Control Officials?
typically within state department department of agriculture
What needs to be on a pet food label?
- product name
- guaranteed analysis
- ingredients
- nutritional adequacy statement
- feeding directions
- calorie statement
What does “100%” or all mean?
one ingredient only
can contain water, preservatives, traces
not complete and balanced
What does 95% mean regarding pet food?
named ingredient is at least 95% of product by weight
water can be included, but ingredient still needs to be > 70%
What does 25% mean regarding pet food?*
named ingredients total at least 25% of product by weight - each ingredient must be 3%
water can be included but ingredients still need to be >10%
You have a chicken and rice food. What kind of pet food is this?
25% - named ingredients total chicken and rice, more than 3% each
Dinner, platter, entree, formula, and recipe are examples of what type of pet product name?
25%
What is “with” with food ingredients?
if more than one ingredient and if the word “with” is used, each ingredient must be at least 3% by weight
named ingredients must appear in decreasing order by weight
if “with” not used, then the first ingredient myst be 25% of product weight
What does “flavor” mean regarding pet food?
must be same word as ingredient
source of flavor must be specified in ingredient list
What pet food example is this?
“entree” - 25% - duck, sweet potatoes, and whole peas have to make up 25% weight of product
What makes up the minimum percentage in the guaranteed analysis?
- crude protein
- crude fat
What makes up the maximum percentage in the guaranteed analysis?
- crude fiber
- moisture
What is the maximum percentage here?
- crude fiber 1.5%
- moisture 80%
What is a guaranteed analysis?
% as fed (can convert nutrients to dry matter basis)
have to account for water, not the same as typical analysis
Wet food has [higher/lower] guaranteed analysis
lower - more water in it
How are ingredient lists listed?
in order by weight, “as is” and includes water
Meat meal, poultry meal, and fish meal are usually ___ water
10%
T/F: It is possible poultry meal provides more protein than chicken, even if it’s listed after chicken on the ingredient list
TRUE - has water pulled out of it and protein concentrated (like a protein powder)
What does flavor mean?
not a specific amount has to be in there
can hardly find it on the ingredient list
What is an example of a nutritional adequacy statement?
____ is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO dog )or cat) food nutrient profiles
- maintenance
- growth
- gestation/lactation
- all life stages
If a dog food has growth for all life stages, it needs what?
large size statement
Again, what are the two groups of AAFCO guidelines?
growth and reproduction (aka for all life stages - meets higher energy demands)
adult maintenance
What is this?
nutritional adequacy statement that includes large breed dogs (with lower Ca2+ requirement) - other foods may have no statement about reproduction
T/F: A diet substantiated for all life stages is appropriate for growth
TRUE - with the exception if it says it doesn’t meet requirements for large breeds
What is the other nutritional adequacy statement?
Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that ____ provides complete and balanced nutrition for ______
- maintenance
- growth
- gestation/lactation
- all life stages
How are you performing animal feeding tests” for maintenance occur?
- 26-week feeding trial
- start with 8 dogs or 8 cats, but 2 can drop out as long as 6 finish
- physical exams, body weights, limited lab values
What would be an example of a diet labeled “for intermittent or supplemental feeding”?
- meal toppers
- renal
- toppers
- 100%
- broths
What are animal feeding tests for growth?
- 10 week feeding trial
- 8 puppies or 8 kittens
- physical exams body weights, limited lab values
What is the other nutritional adequacy statement?
This product is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only
What are feeding direction requirements?
must be consistent with the intended use indicated in the nutritional adequacy statement, unless a limited use or more limited life stage designation is declared somewhere else
Kcal/kg on a feeding label means what?
kcal/kg of weight of food on a concentration basis NOT weight of the animal
How do you determine amount of food for an animal?
- feeding test
- calculation
What is the calorie statement on a food bag?
T/F: Guaranteed analysis is a measure of quality
FALSE
neither is Nutritional Adequacy Statement! - guide for lifestage and intended use
