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| PET GAZETTE | PFMA
PET GAZETTE |
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RULES, REGULATIONS AND
THE PET FOOD INDUSTRY
How is the pet food industry regulated? The Pet Food Manufacturers’
Association highlights key pieces of legislation
I
t may come as a surprise to
some pet owners and indeed
some pet care professionals
that there is no legislation
in the EU specifically written
for pet foods. All foods for
animals whether for farm animals or pets
are governed by the same animal feed
legislation. These EU regulations cover all
aspects of the pet food cycle and also apply
to imported pet foods to en sure consistent
safety and quality.
EUROPEAN FOOD SAFETY
AUTHORITY (EFSA)
The importance of the European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA) to the legislative process
deserves a mention too. Whilst EFSA has no
power to write legislation directly, it is very
influential with the regulators. EFSA produces
scientific opinions and advice that provides
a scientific, evidence-based foundation for
European policies and legislation. Its focus is
safety of the food chain from field to plate.
THE KEY PIECES OF
LEGISLATION FOR THE PET
FOOD INDUSTRY
With over 50 pieces of legislation
underpinning the industry, it is worth
highlighting some of the key regulations:
ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS
(ABP) REGULATIONS (EC)
NO 1069/2009
The pet food industry uses animal based
ingredients which are surplus to the
human food chain all of which must come
from animals that have been slaughtered
under veterinary supervision. Animal
materials of this nature are classified as
‘animal by-products’ and must meet the
very high standards laid down in this piece
of legislation. Approval from the Animal
Protection and Health Agency (APHA) is
required for all pet food manufacturers using
these animal by-products.
www.petgazette.biz
DID YOU KNOW?
FEED HYGIENE REGULATIONS
(EC) NO 183/2005
This regulation sets out the operating
standards to which all pet food
manufacturers must comply to ensure safety
and hygiene at all stages of production. The
requirements cover:
n facilities and equipment
n personnel
n production
n quality control including hazard analysis
and critical control point (HACCP - feed-
safety management system)
n storage and transport
n record-keeping, including traceability
n complaints and product recall
Under this regulation, all feed businesses,
regardless of size, must be approved or
registered with their local authority.
PLACING ON THE MARKET
ANIMAL FEED REGULATIONS
(EC) NO 767/2009
The regulation covers:
n stringent labelling, presentation and
packaging requirements, including
analytical declarations
n manufacturer responsibilities
n substantiation of any claims, including
nutritional claims
n prohibition on the misleading of
purchasers
n prohibition on making medicinal claims
The European Pet Food Federation
(FEDIAF) has developed a Guide to the
Manufacture of Safe Pet Foods. The
main aim of this document is to provide
guidance to ensure that pet food is fit and
safe for the purpose of feeding pets. This
document has been formally recognised
by the European Commission.
n the regulation also covers undesirable
substances and particular nutritional
purposes - for example, the maximum
levels of various contaminants e.g. arsenic,
lead, dioxins
n substances that must not be used in feed
REGULATION ON ADDITIVES
FOR USE IN ANIMAL
NUTRITION (EC) NO 1831/2003
This regulation contains provisions for the
control of feed additives in pet food and
include:
n categorisation of feed additives
n authorisation of feed additives
n labelling and packaging of feed additives
n provisions relating to an EU register of
additives
For more information on the pet food
industry including a short film on
how pet food is made, please visit:
www.pfma.org.uk
August 2017
www.petgazette.biz
August 2017