AAFCO Compliance Guide

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a voluntary membership association of local, state, and federal agencies responsible for regulating the sale and distribution of animal feeds, including pet food.

AAFCO is not a regulatory agency and does not have enforcement authority. It does not approve, certify, or endorse pet food products. Instead, AAFCO develops model regulations, ingredient definitions, and labeling standards that individual jurisdictions may adopt into their feed laws. Check the rules adopted by the regulator responsible for each place you plan to distribute your product.

AAFCO publishes the Official Publication (OP) annually, which contains the full list of accepted feed ingredient definitions, model regulations, and pet food nutrient profiles. Check current editions, formats, and prices on the AAFCO website.

Use the correct AAFCO-defined ingredient name where one exists; otherwise use its common or usual name. A marketing description is not a substitute for the applicable ingredient identity. Ingredients must be listed in descending order by weight (predominance).

Ingredient examples are questions to verify, not approved substitutions. On a narrow screen, scroll the table to read every column.

Check current ingredient definitions and your regulator's accepted identities. Definitions and permitted uses can change.

AAFCO's general pet-food guidance describes minimum protein and fat guarantees followed by maximum fiber and moisture guarantees. Check applicability and additional guarantees for your product. This format example contains no measured product values:

Ask your regulator which additional guarantees are needed for the intended species, life stage, and claims. For example:

• Does a claimed nutrient need a separate guarantee and supporting evidence?
• Does the species or life stage affect the appropriate nutrient profile?
• Are the units, minimum or maximum designation, and statement order correct?
• What additional requirements has the destination jurisdiction adopted?

AAFCO recommends laboratory analysis unless the formulation uses sophisticated software with a complete and accurate nutrient database for all ingredients. Ordinary recipe estimates do not establish product guarantees. Ask the regulator and a qualified laboratory or formulation specialist what evidence is appropriate for your product.

Review these common pet-food label elements under AAFCO model regulations. Applicability depends on product purpose, claims, and the rules adopted by the destination jurisdiction.

Check the applicable calorie content statement under the adopted rules. Where required, use the specified energy units and familiar household measure.

AAFCO has strict rules governing what you can name your pet food product. The wording and actual ingredient proportions matter; some percentage calculations exclude water added for processing. Check the rule that applies to the proposed name.

If your pet food claims to be "complete and balanced," you need substantiation under the applicable rules. If you cannot or choose not to substantiate the claim, check the appropriate purpose statement. Products conspicuously identified as snacks, treats, or supplements have a nutritional- adequacy statement exemption under the model rules; confirm the adopted rules with your state regulator.