EU demands more accurate information

“What is actually in it precisely?” As with foodstuffs, this is a question that is asked repeatedly about pet food too. The new EU regulation 767/2009 now demands more precise information than before from the manufacturers of pet food regarding the various ingredients in the products. The regulation came into force on 1 September and according to the European Union it should “simplify the procedure for labelling and marketing feed (pet food)”. In addition, the new regulations are intended to help ensure “that consumers are better informed about the ingredients in the pet food that they purchase for their pets”. The pet food manufacturer Mars Petcare is in favour of a more transparent information policy, but still expects to receive enquiries. This is due above all to the fact that “following the changeover, new terms will appear on the label,” stresses Dr Cornelia Ewering, a vet at Mars Petcare. “In addition, there will be a transition period in which the familiar labels are side by side on the shelf with the new ones.” What does regulation 767/2009 mean specifically for the pet food manufacturers’ individual products? Producers need to bear various points in mind with regard to the external labelling and presentation. The type of pet food, the name and address of the feed business operator, the batch number, the net quantity and the list of additives and moisture content must be shown on the packaging. In addition, the labelling and presentation of the food must not mislead consumers with regard to the purpose or the properties of the product, according to the new regulation. Furthermore, the information must have a scientific basis and be written in at least one of the official languages of the EU state or region in which it is placed on the market. More detailed information on additives The regulations have also been tightened with regard to the declaration of the contents of pet food. It is mandatory to provide details of the precise composition of the food. In addition, the designation and the percentage by weight of the feed material should be specified if this is named on the packaging in words, images or graphics. There is also a change on the basis of the regulation with regard to raw nutrients: it is now mandatory to specify these for all complete or supplementary foods for dogs, cats and fur-bearing animals. Additives that are subject to mandatory labelling are likewise affected by the new regulation. From 1 September, it is mandatory to have…