The AAFCO includes a Pet Food Committee, chaired by David Syverson. This Q&A on Pet Food Regulations will give you a better understanding of how the FDA and other governing agencies regulate the manufacture of pet food. (PDF File)
What AAFCO Does
- Defines terms for labeling, e.g., "meat by-products"
- Defines quantity determination for label titles, e.g., "Chicken Cat Food," "Chicken Dinner for Cats," "Chicken-flavored Cat Food"
- Sets criteria for the usage of "complete and balanced" on pet food labels
- Recommends percentage or minimum/maximum amounts of various ingredients in pet foods, depending on age and activity level of cats
- AAFCO has no regulatory powers (but its membership consists of regulatory officials from various states and municipalities)
- AAFCO does no testing, but recommends protocal for testing, and works with independent laboratories which perform tests
- Makes no determination of "human grade" protein quality, as sometimes described on pet food labels
- Does not directly suggest standards for labeling foods specified as "Hairball Forumula," "Lite," or "Dental Care," although ingredient suggestions include certain quantities of protein, fat, etc., for food intended for adult cats vs kitten/lactating queens
This coming week, if you have a chance to go to your local pet supplies store, practice comparing labels, using the information you've learned here. You'll find most standard supermarket brands fall short in one or more categories.
Choosing Cat Food Series
If you found this article useful, you might want to enroll in my free email class, The Role of Food in Your Cat's Health.
