Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) introduced IS 11968:2019 with an integrated regulatory approach that covers the safety and health of pets by laying stringent requirements with respect to ensuring the safety of pet food, ingredient safety, and hygiene of manufacture. This standard ensures that the nutritional contents in pet food is balanced, there are no harmful substances, and the production process is under hygienic conditions, thus preventing the possibility of diet-related illnesses and toxicity in pets. It also lays down the main requirements necessary for the development of pet food products to ensure safety and quality. [1]
Ensuring Pet Health and Safety with IS 11968:2019 of Pet Food Standards in India
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) introduced IS 11968:2019 with an integrated regulatory approach that covers the safety and health of pets by laying stringent requirements with respect to ensuring the safety of pet food, ingredient safety, and hygiene of manufacture. This standard ensures that the nutritional contents in pet food is balanced, there are no harmful substances, and the production process is under hygienic conditions, thus preventing the possibility of diet-related illnesses and toxicity in pets. It also lays down the main requirements necessary for the development of pet food products to ensure safety and quality. [1]
Establishing Nutritional Adequacy for Pet Health
IS 11968:2019 prescribes detailed nutritional specifications so that the pet food products to meet the physiological requirements of dogs and cats. The minimum and maximum limits for essential nutrients, as defined by the pet food manufacturing standards, avoid deficiencies or excesses of these nutrients that can trigger chronic diseases or developmental disorders. [2]
Nutritional Limits for Dogs (Table 1)
Nutrient/Parameter | Minimum (%) | Maximum (%) | Notes |
Moisture (Dry food) | 10 | 10 | For dry food |
Moisture (Semi-moist) | >10, ≤60 | >10, ≤60 | For semi-moist food |
Moisture (Moist/Wet) | >60 | >60 | For moist/wet food |
Crude Protein | 22 (Puppies), 18 (Adults) | – | On dry matter basis |
Total Fat | 8 (Puppies), 5 (Adults) | – | On dry matter basis |
Crude Fiber | – | 10 | On dry matter basis |
Calcium | 1 (Puppies), 0.6 (Adults) | 2.5 | On dry matter basis |
Total Phosphorus | 0.8 (Puppies), 0.5 (Adults) | 1.6 | On dry matter basis |
Arginine | 0.62 (Puppies), 0.51 (Adults) | – | On dry matter basis |
Histidine | 0.22 (Puppies), 0.18 (Adults) | – | On dry matter basis |
Vitamin A (IU/kg) | 5,000 | 250,000 | On dry matter basis |
Vitamin D (IU/kg) | 500 | 5,000 | On dry matter basis |
Vitamin E (IU/kg) | 50 | 1,000 | On dry matter basis |
Nutritional Limits for Cats (Table 2)
Nutrient/Parameter | Minimum (%) | Maximum (%) | Notes |
Moisture (Dry food) | 10 | 10 | For dry food |
Moisture (Semi-moist) | >10, ≤60 | >10, ≤60 | For semi-moist food |
Moisture (Moist/Wet) | >60 | >60 | For moist/wet food |
Crude Protein | 30 (Kittens), 26 (Adults) | – | On dry matter basis |
Total Fat | 9 | – | On dry matter basis |
Crude Fiber | – | 10 | On dry matter basis |
Calcium | 1 (Kittens), 0.6 (Adults) | 2.5 | On dry matter basis |
Total Phosphorus | 0.8 (Kittens), 0.5 (Adults) | 1.6 | On dry matter basis |
Taurine | 0.10 | – | On dry matter basis |
Vitamin A (IU/kg) | 9,000 (Kittens), 5,000 (Adults) | 750,000 | On dry matter basis |
Vitamin D (IU/kg) | 750 (Kittens), 500 (Adults) | 10,000 | On dry matter basis |
Vitamin E (IU/kg) | 30 | – | On dry matter basis |
Contaminant and Additive Safety Controls
Under the strict guidelines, there are strict limitations on heavy metals, mycotoxins, pesticides, and any other dangerous contaminants. It sets maximum allowable limits for these contaminants such that the risks of poisoning or chronic toxicity for possible long-term health issues are significantly reduced to meet the pet safety regulations. Maintaining these limits is one of the key aspects in the pet food formulation. [3] [4]
Contaminant Limits (Table 3)
Contaminant | Maximum Limit (ppb) | Notes |
Aflatoxins B1 | 10 | |
Ochratoxins | 50 | |
Fusarium | 5,000 | |
Fumonisin | 10,000 | |
Vomitoxin (DON) | 2,000 | |
Zearalenone (ZEA) | 200 | |
Melamine & Cyanuric acid | 10,000 or 2,000 | In combination |
Arsenic | 2,000 | |
Lead | 5,000 | |
Mercury | 400 | |
Cadmium | 2,000 |
Hygienic Manufacturing Practices and Process Safety
The requirements of IS 11968:2019 for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) ensure a hygienic environment for production. Regular sanitation audits, temperature controls, and testing of finished products for microbial pathogens, especially Salmonella and E. coli, are mandated to prevent contamination and food-related diseases. This process is essential for pet food manufacturers.
Rigorous Testing and Certification Protocols
There are numerous accredited labs that conduct extensive testing of ingredients through proximate analysis, chemical analysis, microbiological testing, and packaging integrity testing. This ensures batch-to-batch consistency and safety. To achieve BIS certification, manufacturers must undergo third-party auditing, product testing, and inspection processes that further strengthen the safety and compliance of pet food.
Certification and Regulatory Oversight
Although it is purely voluntary in nature, BIS certification gives credence to the product. The certification process covers elaborate documentation of ingredients used, process followed in manufacturing, quality control measures, and test results. Similarly, FSSAI complements BIS by ensuring ingredient safety and import regulations, hence giving a comprehensive pet care guidelines India and pet food safety framework. [5] [6]
Additional Aspects Guaranteeing Pet Safety
- Hygienic Production Environment: The standard requires manufacturers to follow international GMP and HACCP guidelines which enable complete monitoring and control throughout all stages of pet food formulation from manufacturing to distribution.
- Labeling and Transparency: Clear and accurate label declarations for ingredients, nutritional content, date of manufacturing, expiration, feeding instructions, and certification marks support consumers in making informed choices.
- Traceability: Each batch would be traceable along the supply chain, making the process of recalls quick in case of safety issues, hence protecting pets from exposure to adulterated products.
- Packaging Standards: Hermetically sealed, moisture-proof, and tamper-proof containers. Because the packaging system protects product quality, stops bacterial development, and creates safe conditions for transportation and warehouse storage of pet food products, it serves three critical purposes.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Regular monitoring and continuous observation of products assure their compliance throughout their product life cycle. The ongoing surveillance method prevents contamination and nutritional changes from occurring throughout the product life cycle vital for pet nutrition compliance and pet product quality standards. [7]
Summary of Regulatory Components
Aspect | Key Requirements | Responsible Body |
Certification | BIS Standard Mark for compliant pet foods | BIS |
Laboratory Testing | Microbial, chemical, nutritional validation in accredited labs | NABL/BIS recognized labs |
Import Control | Ensuring imported pet food products and ingredients meet safety standards | FSSAI, Customs Authorities |
Manufacturing & Hygiene | GMP and HACCP adherence, hygiene, temperature control | Manufacturers, inspectors |
Labeling & Packaging | Clear labels, tamper-proof, hermetic sealing | Manufacturers |
Traceability | Track raw materials, ingredients, and finished goods | Manufacturers, supply chain partners |
Conclusion
IS 11968:2019 sets a comprehensive standard for pet foods, building assurance of nutritional adequacy, contaminant control, hygienic manufacture, proper labelling, and traceability. As IS 11968:2019 is a voluntary standard, complying with this standard should create enhanced consumer confidence in the product as well as improved safety for the health of the pet. With increasing growth prospects for the industry, it is very likely that IS 11968:2019 compliance will become mandatory for pets to further safeguard the health standards of pets in India.
Food Research Lab, your strategic partner for excellence in pet food safety and regulatory matters, has been providing expert guidance on compliance with IS 11968:2019, formulation of pet food, product development of pet food, nutritional analysis, and contaminant testing.
References
- Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas Blog. (2023, June). The pawsome pet care sector: Legal insights. Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas Blog. https://corporate.cyrilamarchandblogs.com/2023/06/the-pawsome-pet-care-sector-legal-insights/
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2023, July). Drivers of Palatability for Cats and Dogs—What It Means for Pet Food Development. PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10093350/
- Bureau of Indian Standards. (2019). IS 11968:2019 Pet food — Specification. https://ia601208.us.archive.org/7/items/gov.in.is.11968.2019/IS11968%3A2019.pdf
- Eurofins India. (n.d.). Pet food testing services. Eurofins India. https://www.eurofins.in/food-testing/industries/pet-food-testing/
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. (n.d.). Chapter 3 — Substances added to food. https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Chapter%203_Substances%20added%20to%20food.pdf
- Emerge Legal. (n.d.). Navigating legal regulations in India’s booming pet-care industry. Emerge Legal. https://emergelegal.in/navigating-legal-regulations-in-indias-booming-pet-care-industry/
- Pet Nutrition India. (n.d.). Nutritional analysis and quality evaluation. Pet Nutrition India. https://petnutritionindia.com/#Nutritional_Analysis_and_Quality_Evaluation
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