EU adopts new labeling guidelines for natural pet meals

BRUSSELS — The European Union formally enacted new guidelines on the labeling of natural pet meals in October 2023. Regulation 2023/2419 specifies label necessities wanted to promote natural pet meals all through the area, together with ingredient specs and a compulsory natural emblem.

The brand new regulation was proposed by the European Fee following an adoption of Regulation 2018/848, which up to date the necessities for natural manufacturing. This regulation was enacted in January 2022 and specifies that animal feed can solely be labeled as natural if 100% of its agricultural elements and at the very least 95% of its dry elements are natural. The fee determined that Regulation 2018/848 ought to solely be utilized towards feed for manufacturing animals, and never these for pets, therefore the brand new Regulation 2023/2419.

Earlier than the introduction of this regulation, nations established their very own nationwide guidelines or adopted personal requirements that allowed for using the time period natural. Based on the European Fee, Regulation 2023/2419 goals to harmonize all these guidelines, making a extra cohesive technique for labeling natural pet meals merchandise all through the European Union.

Beneath the regulation, pet meals could be labeled natural in gross sales descriptions if at the very least 95% of the agricultural elements by weight are natural. Starting Could 1, 2024, pre-packaged natural pet meals which have at the very least 95% natural elements should use the natural emblem of the European Union on product packaging. Moreover, the time period “natural” should be the identical shade, font model and measurement as different indications within the elements record.

If merchandise don’t meet the 95% requirement, the person elements could be labeled as natural within the product’s elements record. Via this technique, the elements record should additionally embody the overall share of natural elements in proportion to the overall variety of agricultural elements.

For extra regulatory information affecting the pet meals market, go to our Regulatory web page.