8 CCR 1202-7, pt. 5 - Expression of Guarantees

5.1. The "Guaranteed Analysis" shall be listed on an "as is" basis and in the following order and format unless otherwise specified in these Sections:

5.1.1. A pet food or specialty pet food label shall list the following required guarantees:

5.1.1.1. Minimum percentage of crude protein;

5.1.1.2. Minimum percentage of crude fat;

5.1.1.3. Maximum percentage of crude fat, if required by Part 11;

5.1.1.4. Maximum percentage of crude fiber;

5.1.1.5. Maximum percentage of moisture; and

5.1.1.6. Additional guarantees shall follow moisture.

5.1.2. When ash is listed in the guaranteed analysis on a pet food or specialty pet food label, it shall be guaranteed as a maximum percentage and shall immediately follow moisture.

5.1.3. A dog or cat food label shall list other required or voluntary guarantees in the same order and units of the nutrients in the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles, or the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles, as applicable, and may be listed as minimum, maximum, or both, unless otherwise specified. Guarantees for substances not listed in the AAFCO Dog (or Cat) Food Nutrient Profiles, or not otherwise provided for in these regulations, shall immediately follow the listing of the recognized nutrients and shall be accompanied by an asterisk referring to the disclaimer "not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog (or Cat) Food Nutrient Profiles." The disclaimer shall appear immediately after the last such guarantee in the same size type as the guarantees.

5.1.4. A specialty pet food label shall list other required or voluntary guarantees in the same order and units of the nutrients in an AAFCO-Recognized Nutrient Profile for the specific species and may be listed as minimum, maximum, or both, unless otherwise specified; however, if no species-specific AAFCO-Recognized Nutrient Profile is available, the order and units shall follow the same order and units of nutrients in the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles. Guarantees for substances not listed in an AAFCO-Recognized Nutrient Profile for the specific species of animal shall immediately follow the listing of the recognized nutrients and shall be accompanied by an asterisk referring to the disclaimer "not recognized as an essential nutrient by the ____________ (Blank is to be completed by listing the specific AAFCO-Recognized Nutrient Profile)." The disclaimer shall appear immediately after the last such guarantee in the same size type as the guarantees. No such disclaimer shall be required unless an AAFCO-Recognized Nutrient Profile is available for the specific species of specialty pet.

5.2. The sliding scale method of expressing a guaranteed analysis on a pet food or specialty pet food label (for example. "Minimum crude protein 15-18%") is prohibited.

5.3. The label of a pet food or specialty pet food which is formulated as and represented to be a mineral supplement shall include:

5.3.1. Minimum guarantees for all minerals from sources declared in the ingredient statement and established by an AAFCO-Recognized Nutrient Profile expressed as the element in units specified in the nutrient profile; or

5.3.2. Minimum guarantees for all minerals from sources declared in the ingredient statement expressed as the element in the same order and units of the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles, when no species-specific profile has been recognized by AAFCO.

5.3.3. Mineral guarantees required by Part 5.3.1 and 5.3.2. may be expressed in milligrams (mg) per unit (e.g., tablets, capsules, granules, or liquids) consistent with those employed in the quantity statement and directions for use; and

5.3.4. A weight equivalent (e.g., 1 fl. oz. = 28 grams) shall be listed for liquid products.

5.4. The label of a pet food or a specialty pet food which is formulated as and represented to be a vitamin supplement shall include:

5.4.1. Minimum guarantees for all vitamins from sources declared in the ingredient statement and established by an AAFCO-Recognized Nutrient Profile expressed in units specified in the nutrient profile; or

5.4.2. Minimum guarantees for all vitamins from sources declared in the ingredient statement expressed in the same order and units of AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles, when no species-specific nutrient profile has been recognized by AAFCO.

5.4.3. Vitamin guarantees required by Part 5.4.1 and 5.4.2, may be expressed in approved units (e.g., IU, mg, g) per unit (e.g., tablets, capsules, granules, or liquids) consistent with those employed in the quantity statement and directions for use; and

5.4.4. A weight equivalent (e.g., 1 fl. oz. = 28 grams) for liquid products.

5.5. When the label of a pet food or specialty pet food includes a comparison of the nutrient content of the food with levels established by an AAFCO-Recognized Nutrient Profile such as a table of comparison, a percentage, or any other designation referring to an individual nutrient or all of the nutrient levels, the following apply:

5.5.1. The product shall meet the AAFCO-Recognized Nutrient Profile; and

5.5.2. The statement of comparison shall be preceded by a statement that the product meets the AAFCO-Recognized Nutrient Profile. However, the statement that the product meets the AAFCO-Recognized Nutrient Profile is not required provided that a nutritional adequacy statement permitted by Part 8.1.1 or 8.2.2.1 appears elsewhere on the product label; and

5.5.3. The statement of comparison of the nutrient content shall constitute a guarantee, but need not be repeated in the guaranteed analysis; and

5.5.4. The statement of comparison may appear on the label separate and apart from the guaranteed analysis.

5.6. The maximum moisture declared on a pet food or specialty pet food label shall not exceed 78.00% or the natural moisture content of the ingredients, whichever is higher. However, pet food and specialty pet food such as, but not limited to, those consisting principally of stew, gravy, sauce, broth, aspic, juice, or a milk replacer, and which are so labeled, may contain moisture in excess of 78.00%.

5.7. Guarantees for crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber are not required when the pet food or specialty pet food is intended for purposes other than to furnish these substances or they are of minor significance relative to the primary purpose of the product, such as mineral or vitamin supplement.

5.8. Guarantees for microorganisms shall be stated in colony forming units per gram (CFU/g) when directions are for using the product in grams, or in colony forming units per pound (CFU/lb) when directions are for using the product in pounds. A parenthetical statement shall list each species in order of predominance.

5.9. Guarantees for enzymes shall be stated in units of enzymatic activity per unit weight or volume, consistent with label directions. The source organism for each type of enzymatic activity shall be specified, such as: Protease (Bacillus subtilis) 5.5 mg amino acid liberated/minute/milligram. If two or more sources have the same type of activity, they shall be listed in order of predominance based upon the amount of enzymatic activity provided.

5.10. Pet food products made from only animal skin and/or cartilage such as rawhide, pizzles, pig ears, trachea, are not required to be labeled with a guaranteed analysis statement.

Notes

8 CCR 1202-7, pt. 5

38 CR 05, March 10, 2015, effective 3/30/2015 39 CR 05, March 10, 2016, effective 3/30/2016 39 CR 23, December 10, 2016, effective 12/30/2016 40 CR 20, October 25, 2017, effective 11/30/2017 43 CR 22, November 25, 2020, effective 12/15/2020 45 CR 22, November 25, 2022, effective 12/15/2022