There are set guidelines that regulate how pet foods are named set forth by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials). Regulations regarding the naming of the product can be confusing. If the name of the pet food contains an ingredient name, there are specific regulations as to how much of the named ingredients must be included in the food.
If a diet is named “Beef Dog Food” or “Tuna for Cats,” this indicates that the diet should contain at least 95% of the ingredient listed (beef or tuna in these cases), not including water added for processing. When taking into account the water added for processing, the ingredient should make up 70% of the diet. This rule only applies to ingredients of animal origin that are listed in the name of the product and not those of plant origin like rice or potato. A diet named “Beef and Rice Dog Food” must still contain at least 95% beef. However, very few commercial diets fit under this name rule.
A large number of products fit under the guidelines for diets named as a dinner or formula such as “Beef Dinner” or “Chicken and Potato Formula.” These diets and any that clarify the product as a dinner, supper, platter, or entrée must contain at least 25% of the named ingredients together. This rule includes both plant- and animal-origin ingredients listed in the name of the product. The ingredients listed must be listed in order from highest quantity to lowest quantity, and a minimum of 3% of each ingredient listed must be included in the diet.
Another example of how ingredients are included in the pet food’s name is one labeled “Dog Food With Beef.” Any ingredient listed after the word “with” must be included at a minimum level of 3% of the diet. This type of pet food name is seen frequently on canned foods. Often a series of pet foods will be produced with only slight differences in the ingredients, and these may be the different ingredients listed on the line of canned foods.
Some products may say “Beef Flavored Dog Food.” In these cases, the diet must only contain a source of the flavor that is detectable whether it is from the ingredient itself or a flavor enhancer or artificial flavoring. All of these products may contain more than the minimum amount but cannot contain less.
Products identified as treats or appetizers are not required to be a complete and balanced pet food and are intended for supplemental feeding only and not to provide all the daily nutrient requirements of the animal.
Lisa Karr-Lilienthal, Ph.D. - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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