New EU Feed, Pet Food Labeling Requirements in Effect
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has issued a GAIN1 Report on the European Union’s feed and pet food labeling requirements established by EU Regulation 767/2009, which became applicable September 1, 2010.
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The EC states that the main objective of this regulation is to harmonize and simplify feed legislation that was previously scattered over seven directives and one decision. Non complying feed and pet food will not be allowed on the EU market.
Highlights of Feed, Pet Food Labeling Requirements
The following are highlights of the new labeling requirements:
Affects packaging, advertising. The new regulation not only applies to on-pack labels but also to other information systems such as the Internet and advertising.
Labeling requirements. It sets out general labeling requirements for pet food and feed. For example, labels must include: (i) type of feed; (ii) name or business name and address of the feed business operator responsible for the labeling; (iii) establishment approval number if available; (iv) batch or reference number; (v) net quantity. The regulation also establishes specific labeling requirements for feed materials, compound feed, dietetic feed, pet food and contaminated feed. (See FAS notice for details.)
Packaging requirements. Feed materials and compound feed may be marketed only in sealed packages or containers. The following feed may be marketed in bulk or in unsealed packages or containers: (i) feed materials; (ii) compound feed obtained exclusively by mixing grain or whole fruit; (iii) deliveries between producers of compound feed; (iv) deliveries of compound feed directly from the producer to the feed user; (v) deliveries from producers of compound feed to packaging firms; (vi) quantities of compound feed not exceeding 50 kg intended for the final user and taken directly from a sealed package or container; (v) blocks or licks.
Verifiable claims. Labels on feed materials and compound feed may highlight the presence or absence of a certain substance, a specific nutritional characteristic, process or function provided the claim is objective and verifiable by the competent authorities. Scientific substantiation must be available at the timed feed is placed on the market. Claims that feed materials and compound feed will prevent, treat or cure a disease are not allowed. Feed may not be marketed as dietetic unless the nutritional purpose is included in the list of intended uses established by EC Regulation 2008/38/EC.
1Global Agricultural Information Network report.