Definition: 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, extraction, 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 practices.
The AAFCO further limits the use of "natural" on pet food labels to allow the use of the term "natural" in reference to the product as a whole when all of the ingredients and components of ingredients meet the definition. AAFCO recommends exceptions be made with the addition of chemically synthesized vitamins, minerals, or other trace nutrients to food products, with a suitable disclaimer that those additives are not "natural."
Examples:
The AAFCO definition of "natural" could apply to many cat foods presently on the market. Some premium cat food manufacturers go a step further by using "human grade" ingredients, a term which has not yet been defined by the AAFCO.
