Reading Petfood Labels Flashcards
After recommending a diet change, what does the veterinarian need to do?
Make sure to see the patient back for a re-check
What entities are involved with petfoods and labels?
FDA (CVM within FDA)
AAFCO
USDA
State Department of Agriculture
All manufacturing facilities must be registered with the _______
FDA
What is AAFCO?
Association of American Feed Control Officials
Private, non profit org that publishes model regulations and establishes nutrient profiles (dog and cat)
Is AAFCO an enforcement agency?
NO
What three pieces of information are required to be on a pet food label principle display panel?
Product name
Designator (dog food or cat food)
Net weight display
If a pet food is labeled to contain BEEF, there will be at least ____% total product by weight when made of beef in that food
70%
If a pet food is labeled BEEF DINNER, there will be at least ____% total product by weight when made of beef in that food
10% canned
25% dry
(aka formula)
If a pet food is labeled WITH BEEF, there will be at least ____% total product by weight when made of beef in that food
3%
If a pet food is labeled BEEF FLAVOR, there will be at least ____% total product by weight when made of beef in that food
no percentage necessary - just needs to be recognizable by the pet… usually an artificial flavor or additive
If the principal display label of a food has “100% nutritious” then what must also be on the bag or can somewhere? Is that a guaranteed statement?
There must be feeding instructions on the back label
This is a voluntary statement that is not guaranteed
Feeding directions on food labeled “less” or “reduced fat” must reflect a reduction in _____
calories
Are natural and organic the same?
No
Natural: all ingredients derived solely from plant, animal, or mined sources
Is “human grade” ingredients something you will see on a pet food label?
No. It is not allowed bc there is no finite definition
T/F: AAFCO has organic standards
FALSE
USDA standards are applied (animal foods must meed the standards required for human foods to be labeled organic)
What items can be found on the information panel of a pet food?
Nutrition statement Ingredient list Guaranteed analysis Energy content as ME Manufacturer, packer, or distributor name and address Feeding directions Universal product code
What is the nutritional adequacy statement?
aka the AAFCO statement
Examples: intended for intermittent or supplemental use
Use only as directed by your veterinarian
Growth, maintenance etc
What does complete for all life stages mean when on a pet food label?
This means that it will address the most energy demanding stages of life: Growth, gestation, and lactation
Therefore, it will exceed some energy requirements for certain stages of life
What methods are nutrition statements based on?
Formulation method: “formulated to meed the AAFCO dog food nutrient profile for….”
Feeding trial protocol method: “….substantiated by feeding tests performed in accordance with the procedures established by AAFCO…”
What method of nutritional statement claim is best for animals in stressful stages of life? (gestation, lactation, growth, working dogs, outdoor dogs etc)
Diets that have passed a feeding trial
What petfoods do not have a statement of adequacy?
Snacks or treats
Veterinary medical foods (many of these will just rec. to consult with your veterinarian)
Must all ingredients added to a pet food be listed on the label?
YES
Official names and definitions must be used
(more than 600 ingredients are approved as being generally recognized as safe)
In what order are ingredients listed on pet food labels?
In descending order by weight
on an “as is” basis at the time of manufacture
What is the number one nutrient within the animal protein source in pet food?
Water
What is listed within the guaranteed analysis?
Crude protein (min) Crude fat (min) Crude fiber (max) Moisture (max)
What determines the dietary protein quality within a pet food?
Ingredient quality
Crude fat provides an estimate of the diet’s _________ density
Energy
What information regarding fiber is more important than the crude fiber?
Total dietary fiber
What is the maximum moisture content allowed on a pet food label, WITHOUT including a modifier like “in gravy”, or “in sauce:?
78%
T/F: A statement of calorie content must be on all petfoods and treats
TRUE
As of January 2017
Petfoods labeled as “ _____ & ________” must have feeding directions
complete and balanced
What are the three key items of importance on petfood labels?
Designator (on principle display panel) Nutrition statement (on information panel) Energy density (on information panel)
