1. You are here:
  2. Homepage
  3. Information Centre
  4. Industry Guidance
  5. Labelling

Labelling

All information on pet food labels must be accurate and follow specific industry standards. Here, you can learn more about what manufacturers must include on all pet food labels and what all this information means.

Labelling Standards

All information given on a pet food label must be truthful and not misleading about the nature and quality of the product. 

Statutory Statement 

The law requires a statutory statement to be put on every label or package which must contain certain obligatory declarations.

Direction & Description

All pet food labels must clearly state:

  • Whether the product is complete or complementary
  • The species for which the product is intended
  • Directions for use/feeding instructions 

Analytical Constituents

The percentage of the following must be listed:

  • % of crude proteins
  • % of crude oils & fats
  • % of crude fibre 
  • % of moisture in the product when it exceeds14%
  • % of crude ash (ash represents the mineral content of the food and is determined chemically by the burning of the product. % of ash is labelled as one of the following terms 'crude ash', 'incinerated residue' or 'inorganic matter').

Composition 

The ingredients on a pet food label must be listed in descending order by weight. They can be indicated using category names, which are laid down by the Regulations, such as 'meat and animal derivatives', 'cereals', and 'derivatives of vegetable origin'.

Alternatively, ingredients can be listed by their individual names on the label. When an ingredient is used that does not fall into any of the prescribed categories, its name must be listed.

In all other circumstances, mixing individual and category names in the ingredients list is prohibited. If particular attention is drawn to a specific ingredient (e.g. "with chicken"), the percentage of that ingredient component must also be listed.

Additives

If preservatives, antioxidants or colourants have been added to the product, their presence may be declared on the label. If a pet owner has any queries regarding additives, they should contact the individual manufacturer responsible, quoting the batch number.

Vitamins

If Vitamins A & D are added to the product, their presence and level have to be declared on the pet food label. The added quantity should be declared under 'additives'. Manufacturers may also include the total amount guaranteed at the end of shelf life (which also factors in the naturally present quantity) under 'analytical constituents'. The Regulations also lay down the units which must be used to declare the level.

'Best Before' Date

This date indicates the minimum storage life of the product. The month and year must be shown.

Bar Code

This is not a legal requirement but allows for information about sales, stocks, etc.

Batch Number

A batch number or the date of manufacture must be given to facilitate the traceability of the product. This may be given either in the statutory statement or elsewhere on the package/label/container, in which case the statutory statement shall indicate where it can be found.

Net Weight

The Net Weight must be given.

Name and Address

This is the name and address of the company responsible for the products and it must also be included on the label. It may be a manufacturer, packer, importer, seller or distributor.