What is AAFCO?

Here's A Fact:

The American Association of Feed Control Officials

The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is the governing body for all animal feed products and sets strict guidelines and procedures.

A basic function of AAFCO is to provide a system for developing and implementing uniform and equitable laws, regulations, standards, and enforcement policies for the manufacture, labeling, and distribution and sale of animal feeds. AAFCO's involvement results in safe, effective, and useful feeds.

The Agriculture Department of all 50 states of the United States require AAFCO compliance with regard to manufacture and labeling. AAFCO manufacture and labeling compliance prevents false claims or statements and prevents the distribution of "non-compliant" feeds.

While the duties of AAFCO are varied, their goal is simple...to ensure a safe and effective animal feed.

AAFCO Statements for Pet Foods
and What They Mean

AAFCO guidelines range from raw ingredients and manufacturing to final printed bags and feeding claims including a feeding statement. This feeding statement, which appears on all pet food bags, is known as the "AAFCO STATEMENT" and comes in two versions.

While the statement's purpose is to identify the intended pet's life stage, "...for growth", "...for maintenance", or "...for all-life stages", the way the statement is acquired and worded varies.

Going the Extra Mile for Your Pet

A statement which begins "...is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials..." means the pet food manufacturer formulated the pet food to AAFCO guidelines.

While "formulating" to AAFCO guidelines is noble, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul™ brand dog and cat food goes one step further. Our formula statements read:

"Animal feeding tests using Association of American Feed Control Officials procedures substantiate that Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul™ (formula) provides complete and balanced nutrition for (life stage)."

In other words, our formulas not only meet AAFCO's nutritional levels for each life stage, but we have independent testing labs confirm that your pet receives all the nutrition, in balanced levels, required for their life stage. Just one more way we go the extra mile.

Proudly made by Diamond Pet Foods • Meta, Missouri 65058 • USA.

©2003 DIAMOND PET FOODS. DIAMOND IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF SCHELL & KAMPETER, INC. AND
CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF JOHN T. CANFIELD AND MARK VICTOR HANSEN. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.