A great question that a lot of animal lovers have is: “Who regulates the Pet Food Industry?” There’s deception that exists in this area because people are being assured of protection and safety of pet food, however very few are aware of who regulates the industry.
Is it The Association Of American Feed Control Officials also known as AAFCO? The answer is No! They are not a government controlled organization. They have no authority to enforce standards. They engage in the regulation of production, analyze the distribution and sale of animal feeds and livestock remedies. The organization is run by employees on the payroll of the major dry pet food companies and also the rendering industry and the pet Food Institute.
Is it the Pet Food Institute? No! This organization is the voice of the U.S. pet food manufacturers. This organization represents 97% of all the manufacturers of dog and cat food produced in the United States. Would we want them to regulate their own industry?
How about the The Food and Drug Administration- Center For Veterinary Medicine? No! They are a government organization that regulates the making and distribution of food and drugs for pets. They however, have no say in the sourcing of the actual ingredients. Their act does require that pet food be pure and wholesome, contain no harmful substances, and be properly labeled. However, they’re usually more concerned about testing any health claims that pet food makers make.
Bottom line is that the pet food industry is loosely regulated and allows for wide open deception on the part of manufacturers. Loosely regulated labeling laws, lack of enforcement standards, poorly established traceback systems, and total non monitoring of this industry has created a situation similar to our nation’s health care fiasco. Wide open deception exists within this industry and the truth and exposure to this deception is just coming to the surface.
What’s the answer? Stronger governmental control? Passing new labeling laws with enforcement standards? More testing and regulation? Only time will tell what comes out of the current push to establish new laws and tighter restrictions on the manufacturing of all pet foods. In the end it all depends on the effectiveness of the enforcement of the laws and regulations.
