The growing pet ownership in India drives the demand for stricter safety and quality assurance policies for the pet food that comes from abroad. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) creates IS 11968:2019 pet food regulations – Pet Food for Dogs and Cats, Specification. The purpose of this standard is to create uniform requirements regarding the safety, hygiene, composition, labelling, and testing of pet food for dogs and cats in India. Compliance with IS 11968:2019 is voluntary; however, many importers are using compliance with imported pet food compliance India as a standard for product acceptance, customs clearance, and establishing trust with Indian consumers in an ever-changing pet care industry.
Regulatory Compliance for Imported Pet Foods in India – IS 11968:2019 Pet Food Regulations
The growing pet ownership in India drives the demand for stricter safety and quality assurance policies for the pet food that comes from abroad. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) creates IS 11968:2019 pet food regulations – Pet Food for Dogs and Cats, Specification. The purpose of this standard is to create uniform requirements regarding the safety, hygiene, composition, labelling, and testing of pet food for dogs and cats in India. Compliance with IS 11968:2019 is voluntary; however, many importers are using compliance with imported pet food compliance India as a standard for product acceptance, customs clearance, and establishing trust with Indian consumers in an ever-changing pet care industry.
Key Compliance Areas for Imported Pet Foods under IS 11968:2019
To comply with pet food safety standards India manufacturers and Importers of Pet Foods must comply with strict product and process specifications, including but not limited to: [1]
Compliance Area | Requirement | Details for Imported Pet Foods |
Product Composition | Only permitted raw materials, additives, and ranges of nutrition to be used. | Provide full disclosure of ingredient source and nutrient profiles that meet the specifications of IS 11968:2019 pet food quality standards. |
Safety and Hygiene | To have established Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system; absence of pathogens | Possess factory certifications and conduct hygiene audits and have procedures in place to prevent microbial contamination, ensuring alignment with regulatory guidelines for pet food imports. |
Laboratory Testing | Testing for proximate analysis and contaminants to be performed by a NABL-accredited or BIS-recognised laboratory | Testing for protein, fat, fibre, moisture, ash, microbial pathogens, heavy metals and mycotoxins in line with pet food import regulations India. |
Labelling and Packaging | All imported pet food to be labelled as outlined in IS 11968, i.e., include the ingredient list, nutrient information, batch number, and expiry date. | The integrity of packaging to maintain product freshness and security through transit and shelf-life, fulfilling pet food labeling requirements IS 11968:2019. |
Import Documentation | All imported pet foods must be accompanied by a valid import license and a veterinary health certificate. | Regulatory oversight of all animal-origin pet food ingredients and importation |
BIS Standard Mark Certification | While this is optional, obtaining this certification gives assurance to consumers and provides an increase in marketability | For obtaining the BIS certification, the production facility and products will undergo an audit and be continually monitored for compliance with IS 11968:2019 pet food quality standards. |
Permissible Limits and Restrictions for Imported Pet Foods
IS 11968:2019 prescribes strict limits on substances and additives permissible in pet foods, critical for import compliance: [2]
Substance Category | Permitted Limit / Specifications | Importance for Importers |
Heavy Metals (Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury) | Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) as designated by an IS standard | Reduces the risk that any toxic elements will exceed the limit for safe consumption resulting in product rejection and/or recall |
Microbial Contaminants | Absence of pathogens such as Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli; total viable counts within norms | Prevents foodborne illnesses and regulatory non-compliance with pet food safety standards India |
Additives and Preservatives | Use only those permitted by IS 11968 and regulated by FSSAI; within concentration limits | Avoids harmful or banned substances ensuring safety and legal adherence to pet food import regulations India |
Nutritional Elements | Mineral and Vitamin Levels – to reflect appropriate levels for the species and life stages designated. | Guarantees that nutritional claims align with Pet food product development and Pet food formulation standards |
Compliance Workflow for Importers
To ensure IS 11968:2019 pet food regulations compliance with your pet food products as an importer, you must complete the following actions:
1) Verify the ingredients used in the formulation of your product meet IS 11968:2019 pet food quality standards for both ingredient and nutritional content.
2) Gather all required documentation to demonstrate imported pet food compliance India, including complete formulation details, lab test results, hygiene audit reports, and import permits.
3) Submit product samples for extensive analysis to NABL accredited or BIS-authorized labs both prior to importation and during subsequent imports.
4) When appropriate, conduct audits of any facility used for repackaging or distribution to confirm adherence to HACCP and GMP for Animal Food Product Development.
- Verify that product labels and packaging materials comply with pet food labeling requirements IS 11968:2019 while maintaining safety during transportation.
- The BIS Standard Mark certification process should be initiated by importers to enhance market trust and demonstrate compliance with regulatory guidelines for pet food imports.
- The Customs Department and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) conduct inspections to regulate imports within the company, which helps expedite the importation of products efficiently. [3]
Regulatory Coverage: The Pet Food Products of Animal Origin (Import into India) Order, 2008
The Pet Food Products of Animal Origin (Import into India) Order, 2008 is enacted by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy, and Fisheries. This Order specifically regulates the import of pet food products containing animal-origin ingredients (meat and meat products from avian species, pigs, and other animal-origin ingredients intended for feeding dogs or cats). It does not cover vegetarian or vegan pet foods, nor does it regulate products for pets other than dogs and cats, leaving these categories outside its scope. Importers must obtain a sanitary import permit and a veterinary health certificate for animal-origin products, and post-entry quarantine requirements may apply. [4]
Benefits and Challenges of IS 11968:2019 Compliance for Imported Pet Foods
Benefits:
- With a high degree of commitment to providing high quality and safe products, demonstrating that consumers can have confidence in receiving their purchase(s).
- Reduces delays and risk by facilitating customs clearance and obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals for products being shipped to India.
- Reduces risk of potential recalls, fines, and reputational damage to both the manufacturer and their retailer.
- Ensures that all products shipped to India are aligned with global standards, especially regarding Indian consumers’ expectations of safety.
- Supports innovation through documented Pet food product development and Pet food formulation processes.
Challenges:
- Extensive Documentation Burden: There are many changes in formulas and complex supply chains that make keeping up with the need to record every step in the manufacturing process and all Ingredients unmanageable.
- Limited Accredited Lab Access: An insufficient number of NABL-accredited laboratories perform safety and nutritional tests, resulting in increased time to launch new products and a backlog of customs clearance.
- Regulatory Overlap and Uncertainty:There are several regulatory bodies that fall under BIS, FSSAI or Animal Origin Import Orders creating confusion about what type of license is required and the requirements to have additives approved and obtain veterinary clearances which increases risks of delays and non-compliance.
- Ingredient Compliance Challenges: Raw material suppliers who export to India need to provide documentation that follows IS 11968:2019 pet food regulations standards which importers must either test again at expense or modify their product formulations.
- Labelling and Packaging Complexity: The need for India-specific labeling rules which include multiple languages and nutrition information and batch identification numbers increases packaging complexity for imported goods which might need expensive product relabeling.
6) Import Certificate Delays: The process of obtaining both veterinary health and import licenses for animal-based ingredients is consistently delayed due to ongoing issues within the administrative process as well as ongoing changes in how these regulations are enforced.
7) Keeping Pace with Regulatory Changes: Frequent updates and increasing enforcement activities demand the constant vigilance and require the investment in regulatory expertise. The investment, in expertise raises the operational risk and raises the costs. [6] [7]
Summary Table: IS 11968:2019 Compliance Checklist for Imported Pet Foods
Compliance Element | Key Requirement | Responsible Party | Documentation/Proof Required |
Raw Materials | Permitted & Safe Ingredient Usage | Manufacturer/Importer | Ingredient Specifications Certificates of Analysis (COA) |
Manufacturing Hygiene | Compliance with GMP, HACCP − No Contamination | Manufacturer | Hygiene Audit and Factory Audit Reports |
Product Testing | Nutritional Microbiological Chemical Testing | Conducted by an Accredited Laboratory | Certificate of Analysis from the Lab |
Labelling & Packaging | Accurate, complete labels; protective packaging | Manufacturer/Importer | Label Proofs/Specifications for Packaging |
Import Documentation | Veterinary Certificate of Good Health; Import Licences | Importer | Import Licensing including any other documentation, i.e., health certificates |
BIS Mark Certification | As an optional additional benefit to obtain BIS Certification for quality assurance | Manufacturer/Importer | BIS Certificate and copies of Periodic Audit Reports. |
Conclusion
The IS 11968:2019 pet food regulations is a voluntary standard by BIS for pet food manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and importers. It establishes a rigorous standard for the compliant supply chain of pet food products into India, giving importers the ability to compete effectively in the growing Indian pet food market. Compliance ensures high-quality, safe products and supports Pet food product development and Pet food formulation.
For expert support in achieving IS 11968:2019 compliance, Food Research Lab provides testing, formulation guidance, and regulatory documentation to help importers and manufacturers bring safe, compliant pet foods to the Indian market efficiently.
References
- Managing IP. (n.d.). The Indian pet food industry’s legal bite: trends, regulations, and IP hurdles. https://www.managingip.com/article/2ehu9bvpujcnqkeodj2f4/sponsored-content/the-indian-pet-food-industrys-legal-bite-trends-regulations-and-ip-hurdles
- Bureau of Indian Standards. (2019). IS 11968:2019: Pet Food for Dogs and Cats — Specification. https://ia601208.us.archive.org/7/items/gov.in.is.11968.2019/IS11968%3A2019.pdf
- Agritimes. (n.d.). PHDCCI recommends Animal Husbandry Department for early adoption of BIS specification in pet food. https://agritimes.co.in/livestock/phdcci-recommends-animal-husbandry-department-for-early-adoption-of-bis-specification-in-pet-food/
- Emerge Legal. (2023, September 11). Navigating legal regulations in India’s booming pet care industry. https://emergelegal.in/navigating-legal-regulations-in-indias-booming-pet-care-industry/
- Rural Voice. (n.d.). PHDCCI makes recommendations to Department of Animal Husbandry. https://eng.ruralvoice.in/agribusiness/phdcci-makes-recommendations-to-department-of-animal-husbandry.html
- Building Healthy Habits. (n.d.). Dog food packaging in India: Trends, regulations, and innovations. https://buildinghealthyhabits.ca/dog-food-packaging-in-india-trends-regulations-and-innovations/
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