The IS 11968:2019, established by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), presents a strong structure for packaging and storing pet food-based products for dogs and cats emphasizing the state of the product and quality, safety, and integrity from the time it is manufactured until it is consumed. Packaging and storage are important elements to protect pet foods from contamination, spoilage, and loss of nutritional value, thus maintaining animal health through the life cycle of the product. These aspects are crucial in pet food product development and ongoing pet product development efforts.
Packaging and Storage Regulations – Maintaining Product Integrity from IS 11968:2019
The IS 11968:2019, established by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), presents a strong structure for packaging and storing pet food-based products for dogs and cats emphasizing the state of the product and quality, safety, and integrity from the time it is manufactured until it is consumed. Packaging and storage are important elements to protect pet foods from contamination, spoilage, and loss of nutritional value, thus maintaining animal health through the life cycle of the product. These aspects are crucial in pet food product development and ongoing pet product development efforts.
Regulatory Overview of Packaging in IS 11968:2019
The standard requires that the packaging materials intended for pet food products be food contact (food grade) and sanitary, and capable of supporting the safety and quality of the product. Packaging must protect the nutritional value of the product, physical and chemical damage, and microbes throughout storage, transport, and handling. This aligns with advancing standards in pet food innovation, ensuring the latest technology and materials safeguard quality.
Packaging materials must also withstand expected mechanical, thermal, and chemical pressures typically encountered in supply chains without compromising the integrity of the product being packaged. Finally, packaging must be tamper-evident and tamper-resistant to prevent diversion and to sustain consumer confidence. [1]
Permissible Packaging Materials
IS 11968:2019 discusses the compatibility of packaging materials, per the Indian Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulation, 2018 and accepted international practices. Examples of materials that could be considered acceptable packaging for pet food are as follows: [2]
Packaging Material | Typical Use | Advantages |
Plastic Multilayer Pouches | Dry and semi-moist pet food | Excellent barrier to moisture and oxygen; lightweight |
Rigid Plastic Containers (HDPE, PP) | Wet food, treats, supplements | Durable, reusable, good sealing capacity |
Aluminum Foil Laminates | Flexible packaging for nutrient-sensitive foods | Superior barrier to light, oxygen, and moisture |
Glass Containers | Specialty pet foods, supplements | Chemically inert, recyclable, excellent barrier |
Paper and Paperboard | Secondary packaging and cartons | Biodegradable, protects during transport |
Metal Cans | Canned wet pet food | Strong, long shelf-life, tamper-evident |
Packaging Performance Requirements
The standard requires that packaging will:
- Provide sufficient protection against moisture, oxygen, light, and microbiological contamination.
- Maintain the sensory and nutritional properties of the pet food for the indicated shelf life.
- Be easy to use during handling, distribution, storage, and not compromise the effectiveness of the packaging.
- Enable clear labeling requirements of the relevant regulatory and safety information.
- Limit the chance of contamination during filling, sealing, and storage.
- Prevent the migration of chemicals from the packaging into the food above acceptable levels.
Storage Conditions and Guidelines
IS 11968:2019 states that pet food products should be stored and transported in conditions intended to promote stability and convenience, including:
- Adequate temperature control for the food category (e.g., dry kibble may be stable at ambient temperatures; specific wet foods will require refrigerated temperatures).
- Protection from sunlight and unwanted moisture/humidity or pests.
- Separation and/or movement from hazardous chemicals and incompatible products.
- Adequate stacking and protection from physical damage.
- Adhering to proper storage practices is critical to a successful abuse mitigation, microbial spoilage, and significant packaging damage prevention program that could impact food safety and shelf life. [3] [4]
Table: Recommended Storage Parameters for Pet Food Categories
Pet Food Category | Storage Temperature | Relative Humidity | Other Conditions |
Dry Food (Kibble) | 15-25°C | <70% | Avoid moisture, rodent and pest exposure |
Wet/Canned Food | 2-8°C (if refrigerated) | Not critical if canned | Protect from freezing and direct heat |
Semi-moist Food | 15-25°C | <65% | Airtight packaging recommended |
Treats/Supplements | 15-25°C | Controlled to avoid moisture | Store in original packaging |
Importance of Packaging and Storage Compliance
By adhering to the packaging and storage code of practice IS 11968:2019, pet food manufacturers can provide assurance their product will maintain nutritional and sensory quality until the expiry date, eliminate contamination risks, and fulfill consumer and regulatory safety and quality requirements. Compliance with packaging and storage will also minimize economic loss due to spoilage, recalls, and returned products. These practices bolster overall pet food packaging & storage effectiveness and promote ongoing pet food innovation.
Here is a tabular presentation of real-world examples of pet food products manufactured in compliance with IS 11968:2019 packaging and storage regulations:
Brand Name | Product Type | Compliance Highlights | Notes |
Royal Canin | Dry, Wet, and Treats | Uses food-grade, multi-layer packaging; clear labeling; optimized storage guidelines maintaining shelf life | Internationally compliant with IS 11968:2019 principles |
Drools | Dry Kibble, Treats | Adheres to BIS packaging and storage standards; uses tamper-evident pouches; strict temperature and humidity storage controls | Indian brand emphasizing safety and quality |
Farmina | Dry and Wet Food | Employs aluminium foil laminates and high-barrier pouches for preservation; storage aligned with BIS norms | Focuses on nutrient retention and pathogen resistance |
These are only some examples from a few categories of pet food but illustrate how packaging and storage guidelines provided in IS 11968:2019 are applied to the assurance of product integrity and the consumers’ confidence. [5]
Role of Labeling in Packaging
In packaging, labeling must also ensure adequate and accurate communication based on the requirements of IS 11968:2019. Communication on the identity of the product, the declaration of ingredients, nutrition information, feeding instructions, use by date, storage conditions, and food safety is necessary. Good packaging design allows adequate, durable, and legible identification on the packaging that uses printing technologies that do not interfere with the integrity of the package.
Table: Packaging vs Storage Compliance Interrelation
Aspect | Packaging Requirements | Storage Requirements |
Preservation | Barrier to moisture, oxygen, contaminants | Controlled environment (temperature, humidity) |
Safety | Tamper evident, food grade materials | Protection from pests, chemicals, damage |
Labeling | Supports clear, durable label placement | Maintains label condition (no fading, smudging) |
Handling | Durable packaging will need to be accommodated in the supply chain | Organized and secure storage facilities |
For example, Drools Pet Food is an Indian brand that meets the testing and storage requirements in IS 11968:2019. They utilize a tamper-evident multilayer pouch to provide moisture protection, an oxygen barrier and protection from the microbial contamination processes, thus extending the shelf life of the product. The product has also met strict temperature and humidity control conditions in storage, ensuring product safety and the survival of nutritional quality throughout the shelf life of the product.
Product Example:
Brand Name: Drools
Product Type: Pet food
Source: Drools Pet Food
Conclusion
The guidelines on packaging and storage under IS 11968:2019 set a fundamental framework to secure the safety, quality, and integrity of pet food throughout its life cycle. When followed, retail pet food packaging protects nutritional value, hinder contamination, and build consumer trust. For the manufacturers, it means better performance and status in a highly competitive Indian market.
Food Research Lab supports the framework by providing testing and expertise on the packaging materials and the various storage conditions to ensure they are compatible, and to also optimize any protocol in accordance with expectations like IS 11968:2019, to achieve the greatest safety and shelf life. This helps achieve the greatest pet food packaging & storage safety and shelf life, reinforcing ongoing pet food product development goals.