Who Regulates our Pet’s Food.

Credits in this blog to:

 www.https://thepetparentingreset.com Podcast “Exposing Pet Food Industry Secrets with Roxanne Stone”

blog written by: Suki Meyers

Have you ever wondered who actually cares or regulates the ingredients in our pet’s food? The answers are interesting and very important to think about the next time you are food shopping for your dog or cat. When looking at the ingredient panels on our dog’s and cat’s food we will see the letters AFFCO listed either next to an ingredient or somewhere on the package. AFFCO stands for: American Association of Feed Control Officials established in 1908. (The definition of “Feed” and “Food” are different). AAFCO doesn’t regulate our pet’s food the FDA does. AAFCO officials include: The FDA, The Department of Agriculture, some veterinarians, industry representatives, and state officials. These officials have influences in the pet food arena to write definitions, rules and regulations that individual states to adopt or not called the “OP”. Pet food manufacturers have to register their pet food in the state they sell their pet food in. Companies who sell for human consumption do not have to register their foods. We can’t standardize “whole Food”.

So, does AFFCO have your pet’s health in their best interest? AAFCO allows waste products including byproducts and diesel fuel to go into our pet’s food. Kibble Diets in particular. The ingredient just has to show some type of nutrition and calorie. The National Research Council used to make up the standards and was last updated in 2000. It is 2024.

I want my pet to Thrive not just Survive! And yours, too!

Try Adding up to 20% of fresh food to your pet’s diet is wonderful and healthy (and delicious)! And do your best!

Additional Reading:

www.https://consumerreports.org Article “Produce Without Pesticides.” by Catherine Roberts is a good source analyzing pesticide data on fruits and vegetables.