Pet food manufacturing in the UK
Pet food production in the UK is regulated by law in the same way as human food is
The process is complex and safety checks are ongoing throughout the production process, ensuring nutritious food, safe for our pets; the fundamental aim of UK Pet Food members.
A lot has changed since the beginning of the manufacture of pet food in the UK. Commercial production in the UK began in the 1930s when the Chappel Brothers began canning a meat and cereal food for dogs.
The broadening knowledge about pet animal nutrition and food technology enabled the industry to develop and diversify in leaps and bounds. The pet food industry is responsible, efficient and at the forefront of technology. This means that it can minimise the use of resources while maximising safety standards. The pet food industry constantly aims to meet its objectives in a manner which is responsible to society and the environment, putting pets at the heart of everything we do.
UK pet food regulations
The industry is highly regulated and follows a number of industry codes and guidance to help manufacturers fulfil their obligations to manufacture safe pet food.
Feed Hygiene Regulation ensures that feed safety is considered at all stages of the production for pet food. The rules laid down in the regulation were already covered in a number of pieces of legislation. The regulation summarises the requirements for hygiene, HACCP, facilities, storage, personnel and record-keeping.
The development of guides to good practice is encouraged by the Feed Hygiene Regulation to ensure compliance with the hygiene and HACCP requirements of that Regulation.
In 2007 the EU Commission formally recognised the Fediaf (*) Guide to Good Practice for the Manufacture of Safe Pet Foods. This guide is periodically updated and validated by the EU Commission, most recently in 2018. This guide is followed throughout Europe and acknowledged by UK officials.
(*) Fédération Européenne de l'Industrie des Aliments pour Animaux Familiers (European Pet Food Industry Federation)
Click on the button below to see our quick reference guide to Best Practice in pet food manufacturing. For more detailed information about best practice, guidance and legislation in the UK, visit our Industry Hub:
