One of the first things that catches the eye of the consumer is the front of the pet food bag or can. The three pieces of required information on the front label are the name, purpose, and net weight of the product.
There are specific rules regarding the name of the pet food, particularly if it contains the name of an ingredient such as "Lamb and Rice Formula for Dogs." To learn more about naming pet foods, read Rules for Naming Pet Foods.
The purpose of the product will state if it is a dog food, a cat food, or a treat or snack. If listed as a dog or cat food, this indicates that it is a complete feed and can be the sole source of nutrition provided to the species indicated, while a treat or snack may not meet all the animal’s nutrient needs.
The weight of the food should be provided in both pounds or ounces and grams or kilograms so it is easier to compare labels.
While the name, purpose, and weight are the only items specifically required on the principal display panel, most labels contain additional information or items, from pictures of pets to potential benefits to purchasing the product. Some rules do apply to this optional information as well. For example, if there is a picture of the pet food on the label, it must be representative of the product itself. Labels of “new” or “improved” can only be put on the label for 6 months from the initial change in the product. Claims of “light” or “lean” indicate that the product contains calories and fat, respectively, below a specified level.
Lisa Karr-Lilienthal, Ph.D. - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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