Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – At today’s 2024 Winter Policy Conference, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture members voted to support consistency and transparency on pet food labels.
This action item encourages state feed regulatory programs with authority over pet food to adopt the Association of American Feed Control Officials’ Model Regulations for Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food swiftly and uniformly while respecting individual state legal authorities and regulatory processes.
“Pet food labels, like any other food label, should be clear and easy to understand so pet owners can make informed decisions about what they feed their pets,” NASDA President Oklahoma Agriculture Secretary Blayne Arthur said. “State feed regulatory programs agree to utilize enforcement discretion in the review of pet food labels. This action item showcases NASDA members’ commitment to transparent and consistent pet food labels across the United States. It prioritizes a seamless transition to the AAFCO model regulations adopted by its membership and agreed to by the pet food industry. NASDA looks forward to working with AAFCO and industry representatives.”
Since 2015, AAFCO has been working collaboratively with stakeholders to modernize regulations for pet food labeling, seeking to provide consumers and regulators with labeling information that is easy to understand and in a format familiar to consumers. AAFCO recently approved its new Model Regulations for Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food, and the next step is for states to implement regulations according to their own rulemaking process.
AAFCO and the pet food industry have agreed to a grace period of six years, during which state regulatory programs are urged to exercise enforcement discretion in reviewing pet food labels. NASDA supports this effort to achieve a seamless transition to the new labels. The Association of American Feed Control Officials is an affiliate of NASDA.
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NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries and directors of the departments of agriculture in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. NASDA enhances American food and agricultural communities through policy, partnerships and public engagement. To learn more about NASDA, please visit www.nasda.org.
