In 2015, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) began the Pet Food Label Modernization (PFLM) project to update the Pet Food Model Regulations. This pet food labeling initiative is designed to make pet food labels clearer and more consumer-friendly. The updates impact all pet and specialty pet foods, including complete foods, treats, food mixers, food supplements, veterinary diets, and daily foods. Below, we’re exploring these changes so you can stay compliant with regulations.

Specialty Nutrition Facts Box

Now, pet food nutrition labels should more closely resemble human food labeling standards. According to AAFCO:*

  • Nutrition facts must be placed in a boxed format outlined by hairlines. It must be printed in black or one solid color, and shown on a white or contrasting neutral background so they are easy to read.
  • There are certain regulations on formatting and language requirements. Examples of the Nutrition Facts boxes will appear after PF12.
  • Nutrition labels must include the following under the “Pet Nutrition Facts” header
    • A familiar household unit measurement (can, measuring cup, treat, or piece) and its weight in grams
    • A calorie content statement (calculated or fed)
      • Total calorie content, calories from protein, fat, and carbohydrate
      • Total carbohydrate (max) percentage: calculated value
  • Dietary fiber (max) percentage: replacing crude fiber
    The Facts Box must contain a nutritional adequacy statement to ensure it’s in a consistent place on all pet food labels.

There are allowances for small packages and very small packages (total printable area of 12-40 square inches and less than 12 square inches, respectively).

Intended Use Statement and Nutritional Adequacy Claims

It’s now required to include an intended use statement and nutritional adequacy claim on the principal display panel. This way, consumers can more easily identify the intended life stage and purpose of the pet food. The rule is applicable to all pet foods, including complete foods, treats, food mixers, food supplements, veterinary diets, and daily foods.

  • On the lower third of the principal display panel, there must be a statement identifying the intended use and life stage of a pet food or specialty pet food. See AAFCO’s guide for specific terminology.
  • The regulations contain details on size and spacing requirements for these claims.*

Ingredient Statements

AAFCO updated ingredient statement regulations to clarify the use of parentheticals and naming conventions. This way, it’s easier for consumers to understand. Changes to these regulations include:*

  • Scientific names of microorganisms may now be italicized.
  • There are clarifications regarding the naming conventions of meat, fish, and poultry. See AAFCO’s guide for complete information.
  • When sugar is listed in the ingredients, it can only refer to sucrose from sugar cane or sugar beets.
  • For premixes, they may be declared in order of predominance by the name “vitamins” or “minerals,” as appropriate. They may then be followed by a parenthetical listing of all the vitamins and/or minerals in the premix. Each must be listed in their order of predominance by weight as listed on the ingredient statement of the premix label.
  • There is a new optional parenthetical format for listing common names of vitamins. See AAFCO’s guide for an example.
  • Organic claims have also been updated. Organically produced ingredients may be identified as organic in the ingredient statement with the word “organic” or with an asterisk, which is defined below the ingredient statement to indicate the ingredient is organically produced. See AAFCO’s Official Publication for the definition of organic.

Handling and Storage Instructions

While handling and storage instructions are optional, AAFCO added regulations and graphics to create consistency. If present, they must follow these rules:*

  • Instructions must have a bolded header, though the header is not required for small packages with a total printable area of less than 40 square inches.
  • They must be separate and distinct from any feeding directions and be displayed in a conspicuous manner.
  • Only AAFCO-approved graphics and text may be used. See this guide for examples.

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*According to AAFCO, the lists in this blog may not be a complete summary of all changes to the Pet Food Model Regulations. Additional sections may have some minor revisions. It’s best to reference the Official Publication for all details.