This post presents key organizations who set prevailing standards in three key pet food markets and how these standards affect your own pursuit of private labels directed towards these markets.
All markets are governed by their own set of policies and standards, and pet food manufacturing is no different. In three major markets – US, China and Europe – each have key organizations that set standards for production quality and industry compliance.
Manufacturers and retailers need to be aware of these market-specific standards and these organizations, to ensure that their brands meet industry standards and are able to reach their intended markets.
With 85 million households owning a pet in the US, more than 50 million households in China, and another 80 million households in the European Union, the pet food industry is an exponentially growing landscape that manufacturers and retailers cannot ignore.
Across these markets, three bodies ensure that pet food manufacturing standards and policies are set and met by members: AAFCO in the US, MARA in China and FEDIAF in the European Union.
AAFCO (US)
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) <link: https://www.aafco.org/> is a voluntary membership association of local, state and federal agencies, which set the standards for sale and distribution of animal feeds and animal drug remedies in the US.
For one, AAFCO ensures that science-based methods are used to validate the use of ingredients in pet food, using a deliberative panel of experts.
Aside from ensuring the safety of ingredients in pet food, it also ensures that diets proposed by manufacturers are appropriate to the animal species that will consume the food.
Likewise, it works together with the Food and Drugs Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA CVM) and governments representing the 50 states in recognizing ingredients for pet food and in promoting uniformity through common language across state laws with regards to pet food ingredients and standards.
In the US, feed regulations fall under state and federal regulations as governed by subject matter experts in animal science, animal nutrition, and feed label compliance, among other areas.
While each state carries its own regulatory requirements, AAFCO creates a platform for these regulatory bodies to craft standardized regulations on animal feeds between states.
MARA (CHINA)
China’s pet food standards are governed by laws and announcements from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA).
By mandate, MARA is in-charge of agricultural and rural development in China.
It is tasked to “formulate guidelines and policies regarding industrialized management of agriculture […] and promote the agricultural integration of pre-production, in-production and post-production,” among other functions entrusted to it by the State Council.
In mid-2018, manufacturers faced new challenges when MARA issued new and stricter regulations for pet food products both made in China and in foreign countries, with the intent to regulate the pet food market environment and guarantee the safety and quality of pet food products available in the Chinese market.
The new regulations were made applicable to pet food under the following categories: pet compound feed, pet feed additive premix, and other pet feed, including dog chews, meat bars, biscuits, drinks, and canned treats.
Likewise, there were changes made in their labeling requirements, and additional compliance provisions with China’s Pet Feed Hygiene Regulation.
Discover how you can get your private label to China
FEDIAF (EU)
FEDIAF is the trade body representing the European pet food industry.
The federation provides nutritional guidelines that detail the nutritional needs for different species of varying life stages. These guidelines are peer-reviewed by experts from across the European Union.
FEDIAF nutritional guidelines focus on promoting balanced diets and highlight the repercussions of improper, imbalanced nutrition among pets.
A self-regulating body, it works closely with the Global Alliance of Pet Food Organizations (GAPFA) in fostering a platform to discuss key issues of mutual interests across stakeholders in the European pet food landscape.
FEDIAF also developed its own practical guide to labeling pet food and marketing products across EU member nations, as well as safety standards in manufacturing pet food based on best practices.
FEDIAF however merely suggests good practices in pet food manufacturing, and work within EU legislation and rules relevant or applicable to pet food.
Knowing the market is half the battle
For manufacturers and retailers, understanding both the prevailing market standards and key organizations provide an added advantage when entering new territory.
For one, it provides a compass to new players on how to best approach producing a private label based on specific markets, while ensuring that your products will meet nutritional and institutional standards set forth by both self-regulating and federal bodies.
Reduce the hassle and clutter of diving into new markets head-first.
It’s best to partner with a seasoned private label manufacturer, like Addiction Foods Private Label, whose years of verifiable success in producing private labels for varying markets can help you gain more ground in burgeoning pet food terrains like China and Asia Pacific.
Start your journey with Addiction Foods Private Label today.
