The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the governing body responsible for the safety and regulation of food products on the market. But does this oversight extend to pet food? Understanding the regulations for pet food is important for pet owners, as it can provide an indication of the quality and safety of the products that they are feeding their animals. In this blog post, we will answer the question: Is dog food FDA approved for human consumption? We will look at the FDA regulations for pet food, and provide some tips for pet owners looking for safe and quality pet food.
Is it food or a drug?
FDA uses the FD&C Act’s definitions of “food” and “drug” to determine whether a product marketed as food is actually food or a drug.
The agency typically classifies a product as food if it has an impact on the body’s structure or function and that impact is primarily due to the nutrition, flavor, or aroma of the product. Examples include a dog food with calcium that may affect a puppy’s bone structure and a cat food with taurine that may benefit a cat’s heart health.
The agency takes the product’s intended use into account when determining whether a product that is marketed as food is actually a drug. A product is a drug if it is intended to treat or prevent a disease. When a product’s primary source of its effect on the body’s structure or function isn’t the food, flavor, or aroma of the product, it’s classified as a drug. Examples include a product meant to improve joint function in an arthritic dog and one meant to make a cat’s urine more acidic to maintain urinary tract health.
Most states’ animal feed laws also regulate pet food products. Adopting the aforementioned Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) model bills and regulations, which define things like cGMPs, ingredient definitions, and specifications for pet food labels and product claims, is a simple way for states to keep their feed laws up to date.
PFI has worked to ensure that our members are fully aware of their FSMA obligations from rulemaking through implementation. Our efforts will continue throughout the compliance and enforcement phase, and PFI will keep involving our members, federal and state regulators, and other stakeholders to ensure that pet food and treat manufacturers, as well as FDA and state officials carrying out FSMA compliance and surveillance, are fully aware of the requirements.
Pet food is one of the food products that is subject to the most regulation in the United States and must adhere to both federal and state regulations. The U. S. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees both the ingredients and finished pet food products, such as treats and chews. Additionally, nearly all states demand that goods sold there be registered and that labels adhere to strict guidelines for product names and ingredients. AAFCO, the association of state regulatory officials that creates model legislation and pet food regulations that states can adopt into their respective state laws and regulations, and FDA must both approve an ingredient before it can be used in pet food.
The most comprehensive revision to U.S. law, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which amends the FD&CA, was passed in 2011. S. More than 70 years of food safety regulation have produced new requirements and mandatory product safety standards for nearly all U S. human food and U. S. pet food makers. According to the law, the emphasis on human and animal food is illness prevention rather than responding to and resolving problems as they arise. Additionally, the law grants FDA the authority to inspect facilities to confirm FSMA compliance and to ensure imported foods meet U S. food safety standards.
What’s food and what’s a drug?
According to the FD&C Act, “food” refers to “items used for food or drink for man or other animals.” and articles used for components of any such article. Courts have interpreted this to mean items or parts of items that are used primarily for flavor, nutrition, or aroma.
The FD&C Act defines the term “drug” to include, among other things, “articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals” and “articles (other than food) intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent disease in man or other animals.” ”.
FAQ
Is dog food approved for human consumption?
Although it contains ingredients that are technically safe for humans to eat, dog food isn’t made to meet the specific nutritional needs of humans. Because of this, it is not inherently toxic to humans and could be safe in an emergency. However, consuming dog food might make you more likely to contract a foodborne illness.
Does human grade dog food mean humans can eat it?
According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials, the term “human-grade” has no official legal definition. All ingredients must be suitable for human consumption for a product to be marketed as “human-grade dog food,” and the product must also adhere to federal manufacturing and packaging standards.
Is pet food safe for humans?
Even packaged raw pet foods sold in stores have been found to contain germs like Salmonella and Listeria bacteria. These germs can make your pets sick. Taking care of your pet or handling raw food can make your family sick as well.