How To Interpret Pet Food Labels

1. How To Interpret Pet Food Labels

3. How to Interpret Pet Food Labels • How to use the label • Label as legal document • Product label interpretation • Principal display panel • Information panel

4. How to Use the Label • Assessment • Assess the animal • Assess the food(s) • Assess the feeding method • Feeding plan • Select a food • Determine a feeding method

5. How to Use the Label • Assess the Food(s) • Marketing concepts • Physical examination • Product label • Technical information • Animal performance

6. Label as Legal Document • Communication by manufacturer to animal owner, veterinarian & feed control official • Regulation • FDA • USDA • AAFCO • State Agriculture Dept.

7. Label as Legal Document • AAFCO • Officials regulating production, labeling, distribution & sale of animal foods • Promote uniform pet food regulations • Establish dog & cat food nutrient profiles

9. Principal Display Panel • Product identity • Manufacturer’s name • Brand name • Product name • Designator • Net weight display • Product vignette • Nutrition statement • Bursts & flags

10. Principal Display Panel Dog Food Co. Manufacturer Name Brand Name Product Vignette Product Name Designator Net Weight Statement BRAND BEEF DINNER FOR DOGS NET WT 141/2 oz (450 g)

15. Principal Display Panel The Percentage Rules Beef at least 70% total product Beef dinner at least 10% (canned) or 25% (dry) total product With beef at least 3% total product Beef flavor recognizable by pet

24. Principal Display Panel • Nutrition statement • “Complete & Nutritious” • “100% Nutritious” • “100% Nutritionally Complete” • “100% Complete & Balanced”

34. Information Panel • Nutritional adequacy statementProduct description • Ingredient list • Guaranteed analysis • Energy content (ME) • Manufacturer, packer or distributor name & address • Feeding directions • Universal product code

35. Nutritional Adequacy Statement Ingredient List Feeding Direction Manufacturer Information Panel Guaranteed Analysis Beef Dinner Beef Dinner is a scientific blend of nutritious ingredients providing complete and balanced nutrition for the entire life cycle of your dog as substantiated by testing performed in accordance with the procedures established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. Ingredients: Meat-By-products, Water Guaranteed Analysis: sufficient for processing, Crude Protein min 11.0% Beef, Poultry By-products, Crude Fat min 6.0% Soy Flour, Salt, Potassium Crude Fiber max 1.5% Chloride, Guar Gum, Moisture max 78.0% Methionine....etc. Ash max 3.0% Feed 1 can per 25 pounds Pet Food Plus, Inc. Nowhere, USA Beef Dinner is a scientific blend of nutritious ingredients providing complete and balanced nutrition for the entire life cycle of your dog as substantiated by testing performed in accordance with the procedures established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. Ingredients: Meat-By-products, Water Guaranteed Analysis: sufficient for processing, Crude Protein min 11.0% Beef, Poultry By-products, Crude Fat min 6.0% Soy Flour, Salt, Potassium Crude Fiber max 1.5% Chloride, Guar Gum, Moisture max 78.0% Methionine....etc. Ash max 3.0% Feed 1 can per 25 pounds Pet Food Plus, Inc. Nowhere, USA

36. Information Panel • Nutritional adequacy statementProduct description • Meets or exceeds requirements for: • Gestation/lactation • Growth • Maintenance • Complete for all life stages • “...intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only” • “Use only as directed by your veterinarian”

37. Information Panel • Basis of nutrition claim • Formulation method • Growth & reproduction • Adult maintenance • Feeding trial protocol method • Growth • Gestation/lactation • Adult maintenance

38. Information Panel • Formulation method Sum ingredient composition“Formulated to meet the AAFCO dog food nutrient profile for...”

40. Information Panel • Feeding trial methodFeeding trial per AAFCO protocol • “...substantiated by feeding tests performed in accordance with the procedures established by AAFCO...”

41. Information Panel • AAFCO maintenance feeding trial • Minimum 8 dogs ( > 1 YO) • Sole source nutrition • Fed minimum 26 weeks • Exam at begin & end • Body weight weekly • Hgb, PCV, SAP & albumin

43. Information Panel • Pet foods with NO statement of adequacy Snacks or treats • May or may not be complete& balanced

45. Information Panel • Ingredient list • Each ingredient must be shown • Listed on “As Is” basis • Official names & definitions • More than 600 ingredients • Listed in descending order by weight

46. Information Panel • Ingredients:Canned: Water sufficient for processing, beef, meat-by-products, chicken, poultry by-products, soy flour, vegetable gums, ........Dry: Lamb, brewer’s rice, ground yellow corn, corn gluten meal, oat groats, poultry by-product meal, …

48. Information Panel • Guaranteed analysis • Required:crude protein (minimum) crude fat (minimum) crude fiber (maximum) moisture (maximum) • Additional guarantees are optional • General idea nutrient content

50. Information Panel • Crude protein • Nitrogen content • Index of protein quantity,NOT quality • Protein quality = ingredients