Section 16-252-061. Guarantees for pet food.

(1) The guarantees for pet food in subsections (2) through (5) of this section must appear on the label.

(2)(a) Guaranteed analysis for all pet food must include the following nutrients on the label in the order listed below unless exempted under WAC 16-252-051:

(i) Minimum percentage of crude protein;

(ii) Minimum percentage of crude fat;

(iii) Maximum percentage of crude fat when required by subsection (8) of this section;

(iv) Maximum percentage of crude fiber;

(v) Maximum percentage of moisture;

(vi) Maximum percentage of ash if listed;

(vii) Additional guarantees as required in this section and any voluntary guarantees.

(b) Additional required or voluntary guarantees must be listed in the same order and units as the nutrients in the AAFCO dog (or cat) food nutrient profiles.

(i) Guarantees for nutrients not listed in the AAFCO dog (or cat) food nutrient profiles, or otherwise provided for in this section, must:

(A) Be listed immediately following the entire list of nutrients found in the AAFCO dog (or cat) food nutrient profiles; and

(B) All nutrients of a similar class must be listed together. For example, amino acids not found in the AAFCO dog (or cat) food nutrient profile must be grouped together;

(ii) The concentration of nutrients and/or substances not found in an AAFCO dog (or cat) nutrient profile must be in the units that the nutrient or substance is normally associated with;

(iii) Guarantees for microorganisms and enzymes must be stated as required in WAC 16-252-076;

(iv) Any nutrients or substances that are guaranteed and are not listed in an AAFCO dog (or cat) food nutrient profile, must be immediately followed by an asterisk that refers to the appropriate disclaimer:

(A) "*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles"; or

(B) "*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO cat food nutrient profiles."

(3) The maximum moisture allowed is seventy-eight percent or the natural moisture content of the ingredients, whichever is higher. However, the moisture in products labeled as, and consisting principally of, items like stew, gravy, sauce, broth, aspic, juice, or a milk replacer may exceed these maximum moisture allowances.

(4) The use of commercial, copyrighted brand, or trade names in the guarantee statement is prohibited.

(5)(a) If a pet food is represented as a mineral supplement, then all minerals from sources listed in the ingredient statement that are also found in an AAFCO-recognized pet food nutrient profile must be guaranteed.

Note:	AAFCO pet food nutrient profiles can be found in the Association of American Feed Control Officials official publication.

(b) When minerals are listed, they must be:

(i) Listed in the order they appear in the AAFCO-recognized pet food nutrient profile; and

(ii) As the element in units specified in the AAFCO-recognized nutrient pet food profile.

(c) Mineral guarantees may be stated in milligrams (mg) per unit (for example, tablets, capsules, granules, or liquids) consistent with the units stated in the quantity statement and directions for use.

(d) All liquid mineral pet food must have a weight equivalent on the label following the guarantees for the minerals. For example, 1 fl. oz = 28 grams.

(6)(a) If a pet food is represented as a vitamin supplement, then all vitamins from sources listed in the ingredient statement that are also found in an AAFCO-recognized dog food or cat food nutrient profile must be guaranteed.

(b) When vitamins are listed, they must be:

(i) Listed in the order they appear in the AAFCO-recognized pet food nutrient profile; and

(ii) In units specified in the AAFCO-recognized pet food nutrient profile.

(c) Vitamin guarantees may be stated in approved units (for example, IU, mg, g) per unit (for example, tablets, capsules, granules, or liquids) consistent with those employed in the quantity statement and directions for use.

(d) All liquid vitamin pet food must have a weight equivalent on the label following the guarantees for the vitamins. For example, 1 fl. oz = 28 grams.

(7) If a pet food is not represented as a supplement for any mineral or vitamin, but the label does list guarantees for any mineral or vitamin, these are "voluntary" guarantees. These voluntary guarantees must meet the order and unit requirements for those pet foods that are represented as a mineral or vitamin supplement.

(8)(a) A dog food label, which contains the terms "lean," "low fat," or words of similar meaning, must:

(i) List the maximum crude fat percentage immediately following the minimum crude fat percentage in the guaranteed analysis; and

(ii) Contain no more crude fat than allowed at the different moisture levels stated in the table below.

(b) A cat food label, which contains the terms "lean," "low fat," or words of similar meaning, must:

(i) List the maximum crude fat percentage immediately following the minimum crude fat percentage in the guaranteed analysis; and

(ii) Contain no more crude fat than allowed at the different moisture levels stated in the table below.

(c) A pet food, which contains a claim of "less fat," "reduced fat," or words of similar meaning must:

(i) List the maximum crude fat percentage immediately following the minimum crude fat percentage in the guaranteed analysis;

(ii) Be compared to another product in the same moisture range (for example, "less than twenty percent," "twenty percent or more but less than sixty-five percent," "sixty-five percent or more"); and

(iii) Name the product of comparison and explicitly state the percentage of fat reduction expressed on an equal weight basis.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.53 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 03-23-129, § 16-252-061, filed 11/19/03, effective 7/1/04.]

Chapters 15.53 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 03-23-129, § 16-252-061, filed 11/19/03, effective 7/1/04.

Rules

16-252-051,16-252-076,