This document provides definitions and information about various topics related to pet food labels, including: - The three categories of pet foods based on moisture content: moist, dry, and semi-moist. - Key components found on pet food labels including the principal display panel, ingredient statement, nutritional adequacy statement, and feeding instructions. - Terms commonly seen on labels like "natural" and requirements for making nutritional claims. - Important considerations for pet owners in reading and understanding pet food labels to evaluate product claims and meet their pet's nutritional needs.

2.  Moist
 Dry
 Semi-moist

3. Definition
the amount of time
a product maintains
nutritional,
microbial, physical
and organoleptic
(sensory) integrity

4. the relative
preference for two
foods as measured by
standardized methods
 Preference vs.
 Acceptability

5.  water content
 protein content
 cooking
 body temperature
 enhancers
 smell
 texture or mouth feel
Palatability Factors

6. MOIST FOOD
Canned (generally)
78% moisture (60-87%)
Shelf life: up to 24 months
Highest palatability
High cost per calorie basis $$
Preservative: canning process

7. MOIST FOOD PACKAGING
 Trays
 Foil pouches
 Cans

8. “Meaty”
adjective meaning meat-
like; may be texturized soy
or wheat protein
Descriptive Terms: Meaty

9. DRY FOOD
 Bags (generally)
 Moisture = 10%
(3 - 11%)
 Shelf Life: 12 - 18 months
 Good Palatability
 Lowest cost per calorie basis $
 Preservative: dehydration
process

10. Definition:
A palatability enhancer
that may be applied to
dry kibble as either a
liquid or powder. The
digest is produced by
enzymatic action on
meat or poultry.

11. SEMI MOIST
Individual servings
Mixed dry/ semi-moist
Moisture: 32%
(25 – 35%)
Shelf life: 9-12 months
Good Palatability
Highest cost per calorie
basis $$$
BEWARE: HIGH SUGAR CONTENT
LOW FIBER CONTENT

12. Preservative: acidification with simple organic
acids to control water activity & inhibit mold

13. Definition:
small rewards of food
not intended to be
major contributors to
total daily nutrient
intake
Less than 10% of caloric intake should be from treats

14. Definition:
Anything imparting increased nutritional,
gustatory, or cosmetic appeal

15. Vitamins & minerals
Ethoxyquin, BHA, BHT
Caramel color
Guar gum
Examples of Food Additives

16. Definition:
Substances added to
foods to protect or
retard decay,
discoloration or
spoilage under normal
conditions of use or
storage.

17. Definition:
a concentrated nutrient
source that is added to a
basic diet for treating
real or perceived
nutrient imbalance
Examples:
Carnitine, minerals
Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.

18. Definition:
“a substance that is produced
in purified or extracted form
and administered orally to
patients to provide agents
required for normal body
structure and function and
administered with the intent
of improving the health and
well-being of animals.”
- SACN IV, p. 114 - 115
Examples: Glucosamine and Chondroitin

19. PET FOOD LABELS

20.  Reading
 Understanding
 Evaluating
 Critical Thinking
 Communicating

21. Association of American Feed
Control Officials

22. …but Individual States enforce them
 Each state is responsible for adopting & enforcing
pet food regulations
* New York State Department of
Agriculture & Markets

23. “The most important
aspect of feed
regulation is to
provide protection
for the consumer as
well as the regulated
industry.”

24. Principal Display Panel Information panel

25. Principal Display Panel
Definition: “the part of a
label that is most likely
to be displayed, presented,
shown or examined under
customary conditions of
display for retail sale”

26. 1. Brand Name & Product Name on the
Principal Display Panel
Brand Name Product Name
Iams®
Hairball Care
Science Diet®
Oral Care Adult
Pedigree®
Lamb and Rice Dinner
Eukanuba®
Adult Active
Purina®
Hi-Pro
Nutro®
Natural Choice Lamb and Rice Dinner

28. “chicken,” “beef,” “lamb,”
“salmon,” “turkey,” etc. ==

29. “chicken,” “beef,” “lamb,”
“salmon,” “turkey,” etc.
Minimum 95%Minimum 95%
(exclusive of water for processing(exclusive of water for processing))
==

30. “chicken dinner”
(…entrée, platter, stew,
formula, and recipe) ==

31. “chicken dinner”
(…entrée, platter, stew,
formula, and recipe)
Minimum 25%Minimum 25%
(exclusive of water for processing)(exclusive of water for processing)
==

32. “with chicken” ==

33. “with chicken”
Minimum 3%Minimum 3%
(exclusive of water for processing)(exclusive of water for processing)
==

34. “chicken flavor” ==

35. “chicken flavor”
No specific %No specific %
==

36. 2. Designator
The species of pet or specialty pet for
which the food is intended
conspicuously designated on the
Principal Display Panel
Designator
“Dog Food” “For Kittens”
“For Adult Dogs” “Feline Adult”

37. 3. Quantity Statement on the
Principal Display Panel
Must use “net weight” unit of measurement
– NOT net volume

38. Principal display panel Information panel

39. 4. Guaranteed Analysis… on the
Information Panel
Crude ProteinCrude Protein (Minimum)(Minimum)
Crude FatCrude Fat (Minimum)(Minimum)
Crude FiberCrude Fiber (Maximum)(Maximum)
MoistureMoisture (Maximum)(Maximum)

40. 5. Ingredient statement … on the
Information Panel
• Must list each ingredientMust list each ingredient
• List in descending order by weightList in descending order by weight
• Must use AAFCO defined nameMust use AAFCO defined name

42. 6. A Statement of Nutritional Adequacy
or Purpose on the Information Panel
Not required with
“Snack” or “Treat”

43. All Life
Stages
means gestation/lactation,
growth, and adult
maintenance life stages
Nutritional Adequacy Statement

44. BewareBeware
Nutrient Excesses!Nutrient Excesses!

45. AAFCO regulations allow two basic methods
to substantiate claims
 Feeding Trial Method (Protocol)
 Formulation Method (Calculated)

46. AAFCO Statement:
Feeding Trial Method (per AAFCO
protocol)
“Animal feeding tests using AAFCO
procedures
substantiate that (Name of Product)
provides
complete and balanced nutrition for
__*____.” Life Stage Goes Here

47. AAFCO Statement:
Formulation Method (per AAFCO protocol)
“(Name of Product) is formulated to meet the
nutritional levels established by the AAFCO
Dog (or Cat) Food Nutrient Profiles for
___*___.”
Life Stage Goes Here

48. AAFCO Statement:
Other
 “This product is intended for
intermittent or supplemental
feeding only”
 “Use only as directed by
your veterinarian”

49. Minimum
statement:
“Feed (weight/unit
of product) per
(weight only) of
(animal).”
• Common terms
• Prominently
displayed
• Frequency of
feeding also
specified
7. Feeding Instructions on the
Information Panel
Pet Food Labels: Required

50. ± 16%

51.  This is where your DER factor comes in
 This is where your individual animals ability
to metabolize the diet comes in
 Feeding instructions on the package are only
a guide
 Remember: they are selling food, the more
your pet eats, the more they sell

52. 8. Name and address of the manufacturer or
distributor…on the Information Panel
Manufacturer’s
Address
Manufacturer

53. Product Identity
Bursts and Flags
Nutrition Claims
Cleans Teeth
&
Freshens Breath
NEW!
Tastes Great!
New & Improved!
Complete &
Balanced

54. Batch information & Freshness date
Best Before Dates
Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.

55. Vignette
A vignette, graphic, or
pictorial representation on
a pet food or specialty pet
food label shall not
misrepresent the contents
of the package.”

56. “Natural”
A feed or ingredient derived solely from plant,
animal or mined sources, either in its
unprocessed state or having been subject to
physical processing, heat processing, rendering,
purification, extractions, hydrolysis, enzymolysis
or fermentation, but not having been produced
by or subject to a chemically synthetic process
and not containing any additives or processing
aids that are chemically synthetic except in
amounts as might occur unavoidably in good
manufacturing processes.

57. “Organic”
A formula feed or specific ingredient within
a formula feed that has been produced and
handled in compliance with the
requirements of the USDA National Organic
Program (7 CFR Part 205)

59. ““BARF”BARF”
Alternative FoodsAlternative Foods
Special ClaimsSpecial Claims
www.naturapet.com

60. EVALUATE INTERNET INFORMATION CRITICALLY!

61. Three Dog BakeryThree Dog Bakery
• Made from 100%Made from 100%
Human-QualityHuman-Quality
Ingredients forIngredients for
DogsDogs
• No Animal By-No Animal By-
ProductsProducts
• Produced at USDAProduced at USDA
Inspected FacilityInspected Facility

62. Therapeutic Nutrition I:
Obesity, Diabetes,
Periodontal Disease
EXAM 1 NEXT WEEK