Reading Pet Food Labels

Question 1

Regulators of the pet food label

Answer 1

FDA (CVM)
USDA
AAFCO
State Department of Agriculture

Question 2

Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)

Answer 2

Officials regulating production, labeling, distribution and sale of animal feeds
Promote uniform pet food regulations
Establish dog and cat food nutrient profiles

Question 3

What information should be found on the principle display panel?

Answer 3

Product Identity
Designator
Nutrition Statement

Question 4

What information is included in the product identity on a pet food label?

Answer 4

Manufacturer
Brand name
Product name
Net weight display
Product vignette
Nutrition statement
Bursts and flags

Question 5

When a pet food label says it includes “Beef” - how much beef is it required to have?

Answer 5

At least 70% total product by weight when made

Question 6

When a pet food label says it includes “Beef Dinner” - how much beef is it required to have?

Answer 6

At least 10% (canned) or 25% (dry) total product by weight when made

Question 7

When a pet food label says it is “With Beef” - how much beef is it required to have?

Answer 7

At least 3% total product by weight when made

Question 8

When a pet food label says “Beef Flavor” - how much beef is it required to have?

Answer 8

Flavor needs to only be recognizable by the pet

Question 9

What does it mean when a pet food label says “Natural”?

Answer 9

Ingredients derived solely from plant, animal or mined sources - not synonymous with organic

Question 10

What does it mean when a pet food label says “Organic”

Answer 10

• USDA Standards
• Animals given no antibiotics or growth hormones
• Food grown without using most conventional pesticides made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge, bioengineering or inonizing radiation
• Producers and processors must be inspected and certified by USDA

Question 11

What can be found on the nutrition panel of pet foods?

Answer 11

Nutritional Adequacy Statement
Ingredient List
Feeding Direction
Manufacturer
Guaranteed Analysis

Question 12

The nutritional claim is based on what two methods?

Answer 12

Formulation Method

Feeding Trial Protocol Method

Question 13

Feeding Trial Protocol Method

Answer 13

Feeding trial per AAFCO protocol - “substantiated by feeding tests performed in accordance with the procedures established by AAFCO”

Question 14

Formulation Method

Answer 14

Formulation method sum ingredient composition - formulated to meet the AAFCO dog food nutrient profile

Question 15

Describe the requirements for and AAFCO Maintenance Feeding Trial

Answer 15

Minimum 8 dogs - > 1 year old
Sole source nutrition
Fed minimum 26 weeks
Exam at beginning and end
Body weight weekly
Hgb, PCV, SAP and albumin

Question 16

Characteristics of the ingredient list?

Answer 16

Each ingredient must be shown
Listed as “As is” basis
Official names and definitions
Listed in decreasing order according to weight

Question 17

What is required on the guaranteed analysis?

Answer 17

Crude Protein (Minimum)
Crude Fat (Minimum)
Crude Fiber (Maximum)
Moisture (Maximum)
Energy Content
Manufacturer
Feeding Directions
Universal product code

Question 18

The crude protein measurement is an index of protein (quality/quantity)

Answer 18

Quantity

Question 19

Higher fiber diets are (higher/lower) in energy

Answer 19

lower

Question 20

What is the maximum moisture content of pet foods?

Answer 20

78%