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IS 11968:2019 which was issued by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), provides voluntary specifications for the manufacture, sale, labelling and quality management of animal food product development, pet food development and pet food R&D & formulation services sold in the Indian market. It is specific to formulations for dogs and cats, and provides standards for factors such as nutrient profiles, moisture levels, additives, labelling and hygiene. Compliance with IS 11968:2019 is voluntary; however, it will provide value to:

Navigating IS 11968:2019 – Who Must Comply and Why It Matters for the Pet Food Industry

Regulation, Latest   Aug 06, 2025

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IS 11968:2019 which was issued by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), provides voluntary specifications for the manufacture, sale, labelling and quality management of animal food product development, pet food development and pet food R&D & formulation services sold in the Indian market. It is specific to formulations for dogs and cats, and provides standards for factors such as nutrient profiles, moisture levels, additives, labelling and hygiene. Compliance with IS 11968:2019 is voluntary; however, it will provide value to:

  • Domestic manufacturers who want a benchmark for quality,
  • Importers and exporters looking for customs representation and managing import/export documentation, and
  • Brands who want to create trust and credibility with veterinarians for consumers and pet owners.

While the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates pet food safety under the Food Safety and Standards Act, the designation for IS 11968:2019 will still address some key technical and labelling issues. Voluntary compliance with these standards provides a measure of best practices and awareness that reassures consumers and closes the regulatory gap that results in inconsistent product quality and underregulated products that are imported into the Indian marketplace.

With the continual development of the pet care sector in India, compliance with IS 11968:2019 is no longer a foresight opportunity for regulatory meeting. It is now a requirement for competitive practice. [1] [2]  

 This article is the first of a series focusing on regulations impacting the pet food space in India. The next article, Chapter 1: IS 11968:2019 – Indian Pet Food Regulation under FSSAI Guidelines: Compliance and Industry Perspective, will focus on how the FSSAI relates to BIS standards, and what this looks like as it relates to compliance, manufacturing and product/import regulation.

IS 11968:2019: Indian Pet Food Regulation under FSSAI Guidelines – Compliance and Industry Perspective

Introduction:

The pet food sector in India is well on its way to better days, thanks to improved urbanisation, increased disposable income, and more people treating pets like people. As consumers’ price and brand sensitivity in the pet food market are rising, there will be increasing pressure to put in place standardised frameworks and considerations for production, safety, and other claims in the pet food development industry. With increasing safety concerns, and more demand from pet owners to safely feed their animals safe, nutritious, nutrition labelled, and controlled quality, there is increasing focus on the pet food sector in India.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) oversees food safety matters in general, while the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) issued IS 11968:2019 for pet food as voluntary guidelines and standards relevant to the industry.  Unlike the mandatory regulations imposed on the food industry for human consumption, regulations on pet food in India are still a bit scattered and defence is weak.  This document introduces IS 11968:2019, how it integrates with FSSAI regulations and standards, where compliance to the guidance is currently challenged, and how IS 11968:2019 compares to global standards and regulations.  [1]

Understanding IS 11968:2019 – Voluntary Yet Foundational

IS 11968:2019 was issued by BIS as a voluntary guidance for pet food development manufacturers, targeting dry dog food, wet dog food and pet meals product development . It addresses several critical areas:

  • Classification of pet food (dry, wet, semi-moist).
  • Ingredient selection and nutritional formulation.
  • Processing techniques, such as thermal treatment in canned food.
  • Packaging, hygiene, and labelling standards.

Despite its comprehensive nature, compliance with IS 11968:2019 is not mandatory.

This is a major difference compared to other BIS standards like IS 2052:2009 for cattle feed, which is enforceable by law. Consequently, many smaller and unregulated manufacturers in India may bypass these safety and quality recommendations altogether, resulting in inconsistencies in product reliability. [2]

Role of FSSAI in Pet Food

FSSAI is the national food regulatory body for India. FSSAI does not have a unique system for pet food and primarily takes actions with regulatory standards that are likely to impact the sector, only if:

  • Public health risks such as risks of zoonotic diseases exist
  • Animal-origin ingredients could potentially pose a risk to humans
  • They want to ensure basic hygiene and microbiological safety during the manufacturing process occurs

For example, canned pet food is governed by the low-acid canned food safety guidelines that, originally were written for human food. Generally, FSSAI would also have authority over ingredient contaminants, such as ensuring heavy metals, pesticide residues and microbial toxins were at safe levels as well. However, this is a legal process under general food law, and not under an animal food law, leading to more regulatory ambiguity.

IS 119682019 Indian Pet Food Regulation thumbnail (1)

Import Controls – Limited in Scope

India regulates the importation of animal-based pet foods via a 2008 order entitled “Pet Food Products of Animal Origin (Import into India)”, released by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, that restricts imports to mitigate zoonotic disease outbreaks because of imported ingredients. [3]

There are, however, some significant limitations:

  • This only applies to imported products and does little to regulate domestic products.
  • It is limited only to dog and cat food, and does not address food for birds, rabbits, aquatic pets, etc.
  • The order exempted plant-based, or vegan pet foods.

While the intent of the import control is good, it lacks the comprehensiveness required to sufficiently protect the pet food ecosystem in India.

Compliance Challenges Faced by Manufacturers

Nutritional and Ingredient-Related Issues

  • Variability in raw materials is prevalent, especially when it comes to meat meals or other byproducts.
  • Screening for contamination (mycotoxins, aflatoxins, pesticide residues) is inconsistent.
  • Standardized testing methods for animal-specified nutrients, such as taurine (for cats) do not exist.
  • There is minimal R&D support to develop new and novel, functional, or therapeutic diets.

Manufacturing and Packaging Barriers

  • Most facilities do not follow Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
  • Packaging also must be tamper-proof, food-grade, and able to preserve food quality by providing oxygen- and moisture resistance.
  • Labels often do not tell the whole story, usually because there was no enforcement. [4]

Sample image :

Brand : pedigree

 

pedigree

Regulatory Classification and Exposure in India

Under FSSAI, pet food products are primarily classified as

  • Animal Feed: both dry and wet foods for regular feeding.
  • Animal Nutraceuticals: supplements, treats, functional snacks.

There are emerging interests in insect-based proteins, probiotics, and superfoods for pets which do not fall neatly under current FSSAI norms. [5]

Comparing India with Global Pet Food Regulations

Region

Regulatory Body

Primary Focus

USA

FDA (in line with AAFCO)

Ingredient safety, nutrient profiles, and labelling

EU

EFSA

Additive approval, life-stage-based nutrition, labelling accuracy

India

BIS + FSSAI

Ingredient hygiene, packaging, but voluntary compliance

Minimum Protein Standards: International vs India

Region

Dry Dog Food

Wet Dog Food

Cat Food

India (FSSAI)

Not fixed

Not fixed

Nutritional adequacy required

USA (FDA)

≥18%

≥8%

Based on AAFCO

EU (EFSA)

Based on energy density

Same

Based on life stage and formulation

 

India does not set fixed protein levels for pets but provides general statements of nutritional adequacy. [6]

Approved Additives and Contaminants

Only FSSAI and/or BIS approved additives (e.g. antioxidants, emulsifiers, colorants) can be posited.

Contaminants are carefully regulated:

  • Heavy metals
    • Arsenic, lead and mercury must conform with BIS levels.
  • Pesticide residues
    • Governed through FSSAI norms.
  • Mycotoxins
    • Governed through ingredient tolerance levels and heat processes. [7]

Permitted vs. Prohibited Health Claims

Permitted Claims

Not Permitted Claims

“Supports joint health”

“Cures arthritis”

“Promotes shiny coat”

“Treats dermatitis”

 

Only support or functional claims may be made; therapeutic or disease-cure claims may only be made if the product is authorized as a veterinary drug.

Labelling and Packaging Requirements

Pet food labels in India must have:

  • Product name and intended species
  • Guaranteed analysis (e.g. Protein, Fat)
  • Feeding guidelines and daily amount
  • Manufacturer information, license number and expiration date

Packaging must be

  • Food-grade material
  • Moisture and oxidation resistant and tamper-evident
  • Capable of maintaining shelf life under various climatic conditions [8]

Summary: Key Compliance Elements

Aspect

IS 11968:2019

Regulatory Body

Enforcement

Product Classification

Pet food as feed/supplement

FSSAI

Voluntary

Ingredient Safety

Approved ingredient lists

FSSAI/BIS

Mandatory (FSSAI)

Additive Use

Approved only

BIS/FSSAI

Mandatory

Contaminants

Heavy metals, toxins

FSSAI

Mandatory

Labelling

Full declaration required

FSSAI

Mandatory

Packaging

Food-safe, durable

BIS/FSSAI

Mandatory



Conclusion

IS 11968: 2019 positively provides the Indian pet food development manufacturers with an essential tool to create new products that are increased safety and legitimately transparent and nutrition balanced. However, as a voluntary standard, it will only have limited enforcement, thus creating substantial regulatory space. If India wants to establish more consistent quality, especially with e-commerce, wider scope of premium food imports, and therapeutic diets, it must harmonize IS 11968: 2019 with mandatory FSSAI requirements, and international standards.

In the future, it will be necessary to link the guidelines from BIS with the binding FSSAI, change the guidelines to include alternative proteins and non-canine, and find a way to invest in infrastructure to measuring performance and testing pet food R&D and product formulation services.

Food Research Lab supports pet food brands through R&D, compliance-ready formulations, and product or service validation in alignment with IS 11968: 2019, FSSAI, and International standards.

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