The food market in the United States is one of the country's most important sectors, and this includes everything related to animal products, such as pet food, livestock feed, and treats that animals can consume.
Just like many other foods sold in the U.S., animal products are regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Any facility involved in the production of animal feed must be registered with this agency. Additionally, specific labeling requirements for these products must be met.
While the FDA is one of the main agencies responsible for regulating pet food and treats, it's not the only entity involved. The AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) also plays a crucial role, acting as a bridge between the FDA and individual states, as each state has its own regulations and standards.
Although the AAFCO is not an official government organization, its goal is to unify controls so that all states can more easily follow the same rules. Even though it does not have the legal power to impose regulations, its recommendations are so solid that most states adopt them. This is why itâs essential to be clear about where you want to sell your product and to be familiar with its composition.
You might think that since these are animal products, they don't receive the same level of scrutiny as products intended for humans, but thatâs not the case. In fact, the level of attention is very similar to that applied to human food, especially when it comes to livestock feed, which will eventually be consumed by humans.
One area where a lot of care is taken is in the ingredients. These can be of plant or animal origin. When the ingredients are plant-based, meeting the regulations is a bit simpler. The main components are usually grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, which generally do not require additional permits. However, when the ingredients are animal-based, such as meats, fish, or animal fats, the situation becomes a bit more complicated. This is because there is a higher risk of disease transmission between animals, making it more challenging to sell animal food and treats than products for human consumption.
Another important point to consider is the difference between exporting animal feed and exporting animal treats. The regulations for animal feed are stricter because these products are the primary source of nutrients for the animals. Therefore, they must meet high standards to ensure that animals receive proper nutrition and stay healthy. This means that both the ingredients and labeling are thoroughly reviewed to ensure everything is in order and the information on the labels is accurate. As a result, the required documentation is usually more extensive.
On the other hand, animal treats, which are more of a supplement or an independent part of a pet's diet, have more tolerant regulations. These treats typically focus on flavor, texture, or offering some additional benefit, such as extra vitamins or dental cleaning. Despite this, itâs important to remember that although the rules are less strict, treats still need to comply with FDA regulations.
As a final point, you should consider that every U.S. state where you want to sell your product will require that the entity appearing on the product label be registered with the state's agriculture division as a pet food producer (including treats). This means that if your product is sold online and distributed nationwide, you will need to have a registration for each state, each product, and each establishment manufacturing these products (this last requirement applies only to certain states).
Although exporting animal feed and treats is as important as exporting other products, donât get complacentâmake sure your product complies with all the requirements before launching it in the U.S. market. It is crucial to follow AAFCO's recommendations and the FDA's rules. If you have any questions about the status of your product or the specific requirements you must meet, donât hesitate to contact us. Our expert consultants are here to guide you step by step and help you meet all the necessary requirements to compete in the U.S. pet food and treat market.
The food market in the United States is one of the country's most important sectors, and this includes everything related to animal products, such as pet food, livestock feed, and treats that animals can consume.
Just like many other foods sold in the U.S., animal products are regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Any facility involved in the production of animal feed must be registered with this agency. Additionally, specific labeling requirements for these products must be met.
While the FDA is one of the main agencies responsible for regulating pet food and treats, it's not the only entity involved. The AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) also plays a crucial role, acting as a bridge between the FDA and individual states, as each state has its own regulations and standards.
Although the AAFCO is not an official government organization, its goal is to unify controls so that all states can more easily follow the same rules. Even though it does not have the legal power to impose regulations, its recommendations are so solid that most states adopt them. This is why itâs essential to be clear about where you want to sell your product and to be familiar with its composition.
You might think that since these are animal products, they don't receive the same level of scrutiny as products intended for humans, but thatâs not the case. In fact, the level of attention is very similar to that applied to human food, especially when it comes to livestock feed, which will eventually be consumed by humans.
One area where a lot of care is taken is in the ingredients. These can be of plant or animal origin. When the ingredients are plant-based, meeting the regulations is a bit simpler. The main components are usually grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, which generally do not require additional permits. However, when the ingredients are animal-based, such as meats, fish, or animal fats, the situation becomes a bit more complicated. This is because there is a higher risk of disease transmission between animals, making it more challenging to sell animal food and treats than products for human consumption.
Another important point to consider is the difference between exporting animal feed and exporting animal treats. The regulations for animal feed are stricter because these products are the primary source of nutrients for the animals. Therefore, they must meet high standards to ensure that animals receive proper nutrition and stay healthy. This means that both the ingredients and labeling are thoroughly reviewed to ensure everything is in order and the information on the labels is accurate. As a result, the required documentation is usually more extensive.
On the other hand, animal treats, which are more of a supplement or an independent part of a pet's diet, have more tolerant regulations. These treats typically focus on flavor, texture, or offering some additional benefit, such as extra vitamins or dental cleaning. Despite this, itâs important to remember that although the rules are less strict, treats still need to comply with FDA regulations.
As a final point, you should consider that every U.S. state where you want to sell your product will require that the entity appearing on the product label be registered with the state's agriculture division as a pet food producer (including treats). This means that if your product is sold online and distributed nationwide, you will need to have a registration for each state, each product, and each establishment manufacturing these products (this last requirement applies only to certain states).
Although exporting animal feed and treats is as important as exporting other products, donât get complacentâmake sure your product complies with all the requirements before launching it in the U.S. market. It is crucial to follow AAFCO's recommendations and the FDA's rules. If you have any questions about the status of your product or the specific requirements you must meet, donât hesitate to contact us. Our expert consultants are here to guide you step by step and help you meet all the necessary requirements to compete in the U.S. pet food and treat market.
