The advancement of the pet food sector in India has highlighted the significant value of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance in the development of animal pet food product development. To meet these challenges, and provide a common standard, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) now has IS 11968:2019 titled "Pet Food for Dogs and Cats — Specification" which provides specific guidance around types of raw materials, additives, nutritional requirements, hygiene, packaging, and labelling to protect product safety and quality. Although compliance to IS 11968:2019 is not mandatory, suppliers interested in achieving pet food product certification and selling to consumers must follow the requirements to develop pet product development processes that have undergone laboratory testing and regulatory procedures. [1]
Compliance Documentation and Certification – What’s Needed for Approval from IS 11968:2019
The advancement of the pet food sector in India has highlighted the significant value of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance in the development of animal pet food product development. To meet these challenges, and provide a common standard, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) now has IS 11968:2019 titled “Pet Food for Dogs and Cats — Specification” which provides specific guidance around types of raw materials, additives, nutritional requirements, hygiene, packaging, and labelling to protect product safety and quality. Although compliance to IS 11968:2019 is not mandatory, suppliers interested in achieving pet food product certification and selling to consumers must follow the requirements to develop pet product development processes that have undergone laboratory testing and regulatory procedures. [1]
Key Compliance Documentation under IS 11968:2019
Pet food manufacturers who intend to register and sell pet food under IS 11968:2019 must generate and maintain specific paperwork proving they have complied with mandatory standards for both the product and the process. This ensures strong foundations for pet food product formulation & innovation and certification. The compliance documents include:
Product Formulation Records: Full specification on all raw materials and permitted additives, sources of ingredients, and nutritional profiles appropriate to ranges in IS 11968:2019.
- Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS): Safety information about the raw ingredients and additives used to formulate the pet food.
- Manufacturing Process Records: Paperwork on the hygienic conditions of processing, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).
- Laboratory Test Reports: Test results from accredited labs certifying microbiological safety, contaminant limits, and nutritional adequacy — crucial steps in animal pet food product development.
- Packaging and Labelling Proofs: Samples of product labels showing compliance with BIS labelling requirements that includes ingredients list, nutritional information, batch numbers and manufacturing and expiry dates, and health certification when required.
- Import and Veterinary Health Certificates: For imported pet food produced from animal products, veterinary health and veterinary clearances are required according to the Department of Animal Husbandry.
- FSSAI documentation: Food safety registration or license documents that establish compliance/eligibility as defined by the regulations of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
- Factory Inspection Reports: BIS or third-party audit documentation confirming the production facility’s conformity to specified quality, hygiene, and safety requirements. [2]
Testing and Certification Requirements
Compliance requires laboratory testing in NABL-accredited or BIS-recognized labs to demonstrate safety and nutrition in line with pet food product certification requirements. Testing categories include:
Test Category | Key Parameters | Purpose |
Proximate Analysis | Crude protein, fat, fiber, moisture, ash | Deriving nutritional adequacy and compliance with composition limits |
Microbiological Testing | Pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella, E. coli), yeast and molds | Assuring microbiological safety and incidence of contamination |
Chemical Contaminants | Heavy metals (lead, arsenic), mycotoxins, pesticides | Assuring levels of contaminants which are harmful are not above acceptable limits |
Additive Safety | Levels of vitamins, minerals and preservatives | Confirming permitted additive concentrations |
Packaging Integrity | Physical durability tests and barrier tests | To assure safety and nutrition against shelf-life degradation |
Testing must take place proactively during the development of the product, sample testing pre-certification, and ongoing interval testing as a compliant. [3]
Certification Pathway under IS 11968:2019
BIS Standard Mark Certification
Although the IS 11968:2019 standard is voluntary, the BIS Standard Mark signifies that the product fulfils all requirements noted in the standard and boosts consumer confidence. The steps to get a BIS Standard Mark include:
- Submission of Application: The product dossiers which include test reports, formulation, branding samples and labelling, method of manufacture, and quality assurance system must be submitted to the BIS.
- Factory Audit: A BIS official, or an approved third-party, will perform an on-site audit to determine GMP compliance, cleanliness/sanitation, quality control processes, and documentation/record keeping.
- Sampling of the products: Analysing product samples collected by a BIS representative will occur for independent assessment to validate labelling claims and quality parameters.
- Grant Certification: The BIS will issue the license for acceptable documents submitted, which allows use of the BIS Standard Mark on the manufacturer’s product.
- Surveillance Audits: Following certification audits periodic follow-up audits and potential surprise inspections to verify compliance is permitted.
FSSAI Licensing
Alongside BIS certification, approval by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is obligatory based on the type and size of your business model. The FSSAI regulations focus on food safety, sanitation in the manufacturing process, and substantiate the hygiene and contamination aspects of IS 11968:2019.
Import Documents
Pet food products with animal-origin ingredients that will be imported into India must comply with the Pet Food Products of Animal Origin (Import into India) Order, 2008. This includes:
- Veterinary health certificates, which verify the absence of transmittable diseases.
- Import permits from the Department of Animal Husbandry.
- Certification for packaging and labelling that meets BIS and FSSAI standards. [4]
Compliance Documentation Table Summary
Documentation Type | Description | Responsible Party | Related Compliance Aspect |
Product Formulation Records | Details of ingredient and additive specifications | Manufacturer | Nutritional and ingredient safety |
Material Safety Data Sheets | Chemical and hazard info for raw materials | Raw material suppliers | Ingredient safety |
Manufacturing & Hygiene Records | GMP and HACCP implementation records | Manufacturer | Process hygiene |
Lab Test Reports | Microbiological, chemical, and nutritional analysis | Accredited Labs | Product safety and quality |
Packaging & Labelling Samples | Label sample flagging ingredient and certification | Manufacturer | Legal labelling compliance |
Veterinary & Import Certificates | Health clearances for animal-origin imports | Importer | Import compliance |
FSSAI Registration & Licenses | Food safety permits and hygiene compliance | Manufacturer/Distributor | Food safety regulation |
Factory Inspection Reports | Third-party or BIS audits of production site | BIS or Authorized Auditors | Quality assurance |
Importance of Accredited Testing Laboratories
Accurate and transparent laboratory testing underpins pet food product certification. Independent accredited labs provide assurance over contaminants, nutrition, and microbiological safety. For innovative formulations in pet food product formulation & innovation, dependable analytical data helps manufacturers validate the safety and nutritional quality of their new products, boosting consumer confidence in animal pet food product development.
Practical Challenges and Best Practices to Ensure Compliance
Meeting the requirements of IS 11968:2019 and accompanying documentation pose practical challenges to pet food producers, challenges that may include sourcing adequate raw materials, the development and keeping of hygienic manufacturing conditions, and meeting the ever-changing regulatory expectations. Best Practices include:
- Early engagement with external regulatory consulting to consider testing, documentation etc early.
- Establishing appropriate pet food product regulatory services including compliance audit, and risk assessment.
- Utilizing enhanced animal pet food development processes and methods allowing for the safe innovation within established nutrient data ranges.
- Utilizing integrated quality management systems to document, and log to manage unidentified non-conformities quickly.
- Establish solid partnerships with accredited laboratory to speed time to sample analysis. [5]
Conclusion
Approval under IS 11968:2019 requires comprehensive document trails, audits, and accredited laboratory testing to ensure compliance. By investing in strong compliance for pet food product formulation & innovation, and pursuing pet food product certification, manufacturers enhance credibility and consumer trust. Laboratory-supported validation strengthens animal pet food product development efforts and ensures higher quality in pet product development. As the pet food sector grows in India, IS 11968:2019 compliance demonstrates commitment to providing safe, nutritious, and reliable pet foods in the marketplace.
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