In the US, the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) regulates pet food under the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 113 (21 CFR 113).
With 85 million households owning pets translating to new clients in the States who could enjoy the benefits of their brands, manufacturers need to be aware of FDA regulations and recalls that impact how retailers perceive their brands.
Although there is no requirement for pet food products to have pre-market approval by the FDA, it ensures that all the ingredients used in pet food that is manufactured or distributed in the US are safe and functionally contribute to make the pet food nutritious and safe for dogs. It is in this light that the FDA can declare recalls for brands whose ingredients have been identified as questionable or of risk to consuming pets.
Alongside the FDA, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) functions as a voluntary membership association of local, state and federal agencies, which set the standards for the sale and distribution of animal feeds and animal drug remedies in the US. Likewise, it provides guidelines for the scientific and systematic approach to securing defensible samples for testing.
These in mind, it is inarguable that recalls which target specific ingredients or batches of brands have exponential impact on the overall market acceptance for a brand. Manufacturers must be wary about their processes, supply chains and ultimately their ingredients, to ensure that their retailers and consumers remain confident in the brands they support.
FDA recalls
There are three kinds of FDA recalls – one, on a firm’s own initiative; two, by FDA request; and three, by FDA order under statutory authority.
Recently, the FDA made a nationwide recall on several pet food brands due to elevated levels of Vitamin D found after testing. This recall was spurred by complaints from customers who identified vitamin toxicity as the main culprit since their dogs consumed dry pet food from the disputed brands.
For manufacturers, this raises many questions about their production processes and everything in between, but most significant would be the provenance of their ingredients, and how these are formulated to ensure that end-users – the pets themselves – would not encounter health-related issues that contradict to any brand’s claims.
For long-standing brands, the immediate response is to contain the issues of recalls within the batch that has been identified as erring, and yet for those looking for long-term solutions, manufacturers can start reviewing its existing supply chain, and identify how best to sustainably source for its ingredients, while putting tabs on formulation and production altogether.
Without precautionary measures for its brands, manufacturers may see retailers pulling out their products from shelves – a scenario that no manufacturer wants to see himself in.
Strengthened partnerships
Manufacturers must develop a business mantra that resonates with its own commitment to exceeding industry standards – such as testing procedures from our raw materials to packaged product every 15 minutes – while showcasing an adeptness to what their retailers, and eventually, their customers are looking for in their brands.
With a seasoned partner to help move both inventory and branding, manufacturers can gain a competitive edge over those who are trekking similar paths towards emerging markets, such as China.
Trust Addiction Foods Private Label to be that partner for you in ensuring that your commitment to premium pet food manufacturing is translated into strong market presence, given Addiction Foods close to two decades of experience and expertise in mature and growing markets.
And because of free trade agreements, minimal regulations on New Zealand’s raw materials, and meeting MOA/AQSIQ regulations, Addiction Foods is the only premium dry food producer in the world that can export all protein sources to China’s $25 billion pet market.
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