The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the manufacture of cat food, dog food, and dog treats or snacks you have in your pantry. The FDA’s regulation of pet food is similar to that for other animal foods. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) requires that all animal foods, like human foods, be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled. In addition, canned pet foods must be processed in conformance with the low acid canned food regulations to ensure the pet food is free of viable microorganisms, see Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 113 (21 CFR 113).

FDA Regulation of Pet Food

There is no requirement that pet food products have pre-market approval by the FDA. But FDA ensures that the ingredients used in pet food are safe and have an appropriate function in the pet food. Many ingredients such as meat, poultry, and grains are considered safe and do not require pre-market approval. Other substances, such as sources of minerals, vitamins or other nutrients, flavorings, preservatives, or processing aids may be Generally Recognized As Safe for an intended use (21 CFR 582 and 584) or must have approval as food additives (21 CFR 570, 571 and 573). Colorings must have approvals for such use as specified in 21 CFR 70 and be listed in Parts 73, 74, or 81. For more information about pet foods and marketing a pet food, see FDA’s Regulation of Pet Food and Information on Marketing a Pet Food Product.

Labeling

Pet food labeling is regulated at two levels. The current FDA regulations require proper identification of the product, net quantity statement, name and place of business of the manufacturer or distributor, and proper listing of all the ingredients in the product from most to least, based on weight. Some states also enforce their own labeling regulations. Many of these regulations are based on a model provided by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). For more information about AAFCO, please visit its website. For more information about labeling requirements, see Pet Food Labels - General.

FDA also reviews specific claims on pet food, such as “maintains urinary tract health,” “low magnesium,” and “hairball control.” Guidance for collecting data to make a urinary tract health claim is available in Guideline 55 on the CVM portion of the FDA internet site.

CVM DOES NOT recommend one product over another or offer guidance on individual pet health issues that are normally provided by the pet’s veterinarian. Questions regarding your pets' health and/or the specific use of any veterinary drug, pet food, or other product should always be referred to your veterinarian.

Recalls & Reporting Problems

• Recalls
• How to Report a Pet Food Complaint
• Melamine Pet Food Recall of 2007

Guidance Documents

• CVM GFI #55 Supportive Data for Cat Food Labels Bearing "Reduces Urinary pH Claims: Protocol Development
• CVM GFI #122 Manufacture and Labeling of Raw Meat Foods for Companion and Captive Noncompanion Carnivores and Omnivores
• Compliance Policy Guide Sec. 690.150 Labeling and Marketing of Dog and Cat Food Diets Intended to Diagnose, Cure, Mitigate, Treat, or Prevent Diseases

Federal Register Notices

• Irradiation in the Production, Processing, and Handling of Animal Feed and Pet Food; Irradiation - Docket No. 99F-2799, CVM 2000108. Pages 18539-18540 [FR Doc. 01-088719] April 10, 2001.

Additional Information

• Information for Pet Owners
• Jerky Pet Treats
• Food and Drug Administration/Center for Veterinary Medicine Report on the Risk from Pentobarbital in Dog Food
• Target Animal Safety Review Memorandum: Trace Metal Analysis of Commercial Pet Food for Toxic Metals
• Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)