IS 11968:2019 published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) provides a broad framework that addresses transparency and consumer confidence through specific labeling requirements for the pet food industry. Labeling is crucial in pet food product development and pet food nutrition labeling as it communicates essential information about nutritional adequacy, safety, and ingredient disclosure, confirming regulatory adherence. This ultimately provides consumers with information to make better informed purchase decisions and increases industry trust, which is a fundamental aspect of pet food development.
Pet Food Labeling – Ensuring Transparency and Consumer Trust from IS 11968:2019
IS 11968:2019 published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) provides a broad framework that addresses transparency and consumer confidence through specific labeling requirements for the pet food industry. Labeling is crucial in pet food product development and pet food nutrition labeling as it communicates essential information about nutritional adequacy, safety, and ingredient disclosure, confirming regulatory adherence. This ultimately provides consumers with information to make better informed purchase decisions and increases industry trust, which is a fundamental aspect of pet food development.
Overview of the Pet Food Labeling Regulations in IS 11968:2019
The rule includes several labeling provisions intended to provide consumers with sufficient, clear and fully truthful product information when they’re shopping for dog and cat food. IS 11968: 2019 identifies labeling elements including ingredient disclosure, nutritional content, product identity and safety warnings, shelf-life, and several other labeling requirements to eliminate misinformation, discourages misleading claims, and demonstrate compliance with safety and quality standards. [1]
Mandatory Labeling Requirements
The core labeling components mandated by IS 11968:2019 include:
Label Element | Description | Purpose |
Product Name | Clear identification of the type of pet food (e.g. complete or complementary food). | Enables consumer recognition and product differentiation |
Manufacturer Information | Name and address of the manufacturer or importer | Accountability and traceability |
Intended Species | The identified species of animal(s) the product is targeted for (dog, cat, etc.) | To ensure that the product is appropriate for the type of animal. |
Ingredients List | A complete listing of all the ingredients using a common name. | Transparency regarding the ingredient composition and allergen presence. |
Guaranteed Analysis | Minimum percentages of crude protein, fat, fiber, moisture, and other nutrients | Assures nutritional adequacy and supports pet health |
Additives and Preservatives | Names and quantities of all permitted additives and preservatives. | Consumer awareness and regulatory compliance |
Feeding Instructions | Recommended amounts of feeding and feeding instructions to include feeding instructions. | Guides correct usage and prevent overfeeding |
Expiry Date/Best Before | Product shelf-life information | Ensures product safety and quality |
Net Weight | The exact weight or volume of the packaged product. | Prevents misrepresentation and supports purchasing decisions |
Storage Conditions | Recommended storage conditions to preserve product quality. | Helps preserve product integrity |
Batch/Lot Number | Production batch identification | To ensure traceability and recall if needed. |
Safety Warnings | Any critical warnings or allergen information | Protects pet health and avoids allergic reactions |
These requirements are designed to instill confidence in pet owners by providing comprehensive product knowledge, enabling them to make safe and informed purchasing decisions. [2]
Role in Consumer Protection and Market Transparency
As per IS 11968:2019 labeling of pet food is an important tool for consumer protection. The labeling helps to ensure that consumers are not subjected to misleading marketing and establishes accepted industry standards. The labeling further enables regulators to easily confirm regulatory compliance during inspections and audits.
Labeling for Additives and Preservatives
IS 11968:2019 states that any additives or preservatives that may be present in pet food must be clearly labeled as to their inclusion and the purpose if relevant. This promotes product transparency and customer knowledge regarding the safety and quality of the product, which is consistent with the overall regulatory theme of ensuring ingredient integrity and product safety.
Additional Regulatory Frameworks Impacting Pet Food Labeling
Although IS 11968:2019 establishes pet food labeling standards, additional legislation can alter labeling practice in India:
- The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 mandates truthful descriptions of products and prohibits unfair trade practices.
- The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 regulates accurate weights and measures on packages.
- The regulations of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) detail hygiene rules, contaminant control provisions, and food safety standards that may apply to certain categories of pet food.
- E-Commerce Rules requires informational transparency and certain information for pet food sold online.
Labeling Challenges and Industry Considerations
While regulatory clarity exists, the challenge of accurate labelling persists because several types of products, ingredient complexity, and product formulations change per country. Each industry participant must assure that the label(s) provide an accurate representation of animal feed related to ingredient sourcing and composition. The animal feed industry must collaborate with accredited laboratories for ingredient verification and compliance to maintain labelling accuracy. These considerations are essential to the broader process of pet food development and pet food nutrition labeling. [3]
Table: Key IS 11968:2019 Labeling Elements with Regulatory Importance
Label Element | Regulatory Importance | Consumer Benefit |
Product Identity | Ensures conformity to product type | Ease of product selection |
Ingredient Disclosure | Transparency on allergens, additives | Allows identification of harmful ingredients |
Guaranteed Analysis | Nutritional validation | Assurance of pet health benefits |
Expiry Date | Safety and quality assurance | Reduces risk of degraded products |
Additives Labeling | Compliance with additive safety rules | Awareness of product composition |
For instance, Royal Canin being one of the companies that show best practices in India following the labelling requirements (IS 11968:2019) religiously. The ingredient composition, nutrients analysis, feeding guidelines and the additive details are mentioned on the product label. Royal Canin provides confidence to the consumer and supports confidence related to accurate labeling in relation to regulatory requirements.
Product example:
Brand name: Royal Canin
Category: Pet food
Source: Royal Canin
Conclusion
IS 11968:2019 will allow for transparency in pet food labeling that can inspire the trust of consumers and generate confidence in product safety among manufacturers operating across India’s growing pet food market. Therefore, by perusing labeling that complies with the labeling requirements, consumers are informed about critical matters concerning food and product safety while at the same time also assisting with regulatory compliance and surveillance. Food Research Lab provides expert testing and regulatory assistance in evaluating the accuracy of food labels and safety of ingredients which provide coverage to manufacturers working towards complying with the requirements of IS 11968:2019. These efforts advance the wider field of pet food product development by ensuring that products delivered to market meet stringent safety and nutrition standards.