The Bureau of Indian Standards has developed a quality standard called IS 11968:2019 to establish consistency around standardized and voluntary specifications associated with the manufacture, labelling and testing of pet food for dogs and cats in India. This standard includes the raw materials, additives, nutritional requirements for dogs and cats, hygiene, storage and packaging used for animal pet food development, and labelling requirements that ensure legal compliance and product consistency and safety. Compliance is not mandatory; however, compliance helps to improve consumer confidence and quality of products.
Steps to Register and Approve Pet Food Products in India from IS 11968:2019
The Bureau of Indian Standards has developed a quality standard called IS 11968:2019 to establish consistency around standardized and voluntary specifications associated with the manufacture, labelling and testing of pet food for dogs and cats in India. This standard includes the raw materials, additives, nutritional requirements for dogs and cats, hygiene, storage and packaging used for animal pet food development, and labelling requirements that ensure legal compliance and product consistency and safety. Compliance is not mandatory; however, compliance helps to improve consumer confidence and quality of products.
The approval process of developing a pet food product includes pet food product formulation and innovation, testing in an accredited laboratory, legal compliance with the labelling format, and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India oversight of food and safety standards. Animal-based pet foods imported into India need a health certificate per the import rules in force. This is another step forward to regulate the increasing pet food industry in India and provide safer and better-quality nutrition for our pets. [1]
Overview of IS 11968:2019 for Pet Food
- These standard outlines category of pet food including both complete foods and complementary foods provided for dogs and cats, and outlines safety, nutrition and labelling requirements.
- It provides requirements for raw materials, additives, contaminants, hygienic processing, nutritional adequacy, and packaging
- Compliance with IS 11968:2019 is optional but voluntary and can help acceptance in the market (and can later become mandatory).
- The BIS Standard Mark certification can be obtained only after compliance to allow for greater credibility. [2]
Regulatory Landscape for Pet Food in India
- Standards are managed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) (IS 11968:2019).
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) manages food safety and hygiene requirements, as well as contaminant limits that apply under general food laws.
- The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries is responsible for issuing import permits for pet food products of animal origin and veterinary health certification.
- The pet food product must also comply with the Legal Metrology Act in terms of compliance with labeling and weights.
- The Consumer Protection Act and IT Act enforce transparency in online marketing and sales. [3]
Steps to Register and Approve Pet Food Products
- Business Establishment and Legal Registration
- Establish the business entity in India as a private company, LLP, or sole proprietorship, based on business requirements.
- Registration under Shop & Establishments Act and, if retailing pet products, the state Animal Welfare Board must be received.
- Product Formulation and Testing as per IS 11968:2019
- Develop pet food formulations in line with pet food product formulation and innovation that meet the nutritional profile, associated to safety parameters as stated in IS 11968:2019, including specifications for raw material, the safety of ingredients, use of additives and assurance that the nutrition is appropriate for the defined species category.
- The testing process for pet food samples in accredited laboratories follows BIS protocols to check microbiological and chemical and nutritional parameters.
- The product needs to meet all established contaminant restrictions and processing standards for hygiene.
- Labelling and Packaging Compliance
- Food product labels can include the product name, list of ingredients, nutritional information, manufacturer’s particulars, net weight or volume, batch number, date of manufacture and expiry period, precautionary advice for animals and veterinary health certificates where applicable under the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) labelling norms.
- The weighing and declaration of sizes for packaging products must also comply with legal metrology regulations.
- Some products must include “complete” and “complimentary” on the packaging.
- BIS Certification Application (Optional but Recommended)
- The BIS Standard Mark certification application shows organizations to validate their products to ensure compliance with IS 11968:2019.
- The application consists of product test reports, details of manufacturing, and documentation supporting labelling requirements.
- The application process includes all product test reports, the manufacture details, and documentation to show you meet the labelling requirements.
- BIS Standard Mark will be accessible for labelling of the product when verification of compliance has been completed successfully.
- FSSAI Registration or Licensing
- Licensing Pet food businesses must register with the FSSAI for food safety compliance in accordance with its size and complexity.
- Businesses must implement food safety management systems and have proper hygiene standards for the manufacturer.
- Import Registration (if applicable)
- The pet Food Products of Animal origin (Import into India) Order 2008 states that pet food business must register the animal base pet food products imported into India.
- Businesses need to obtain veterinary health certificates that follow all applicable regulatory standards.
- The packaging needs to show evidence of health certification.
Pet Food Categories under IS 11968:2019
Category | Description | Key Compliance Area |
Complete Pet Food | Nutritionally complete food intended as sole diet | Nutritional adequacy, ingredient safety |
Complementary Food | Food intended to supplement complete diet | Labelling, ingredient disclosure |
Specialized Diets | Therapeutic or functional diets for specific health issues | Scientific validation of health claims |
Treats and Snacks | Non-essential items with limited nutritional benefit | Safety and contaminant limits |
Summary Table of Registration and Approval Steps
Step | Description | Responsible Authority |
1. Business Registration | Legal entity incorporation, Shops & Establishments registration | Registrar of Companies, State Authorities |
2. Product Formulation | Formulate as per IS 11968:2019 nutritional and safety standards via animal pet food development and pet product development | Manufacturer, Accredited Labs |
3. Labelling Compliance | Design label per BIS and Legal Metrology requirements | Manufacturer |
4. BIS Certification | Apply for BIS Standard Mark with documentation and factory audit | Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) |
5. FSSAI Licensing | Obtain FSSAI registration/license for pet food manufacturing | Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) |
6. Import Registration | Registration and health certification for imported animal-origin food | Animal Husbandry Department |
7. Market Surveillance | Maintain compliance with consumer protection and welfare laws | Various State and Central Authorities |
Conclusion
Though IS 11968:2019 is currently voluntary, FSSAI’s role in enforcing applicable food safety principles indirectly advances pet food safety in India. Through hygiene controls, contaminant monitoring, labeling verification, and licensing, FSSAI has laid a crucial foundation for safe and quality pet food development. Collaboration with expert facilities like Food Research Lab, which provides cutting-edge testing and innovation services, further supports manufacturers in ensuring compliance with IS 11968:2019 and accelerating animal food product development. As clarity and regulations evolve, FSSAI’s collaboration with BIS and industry players will be vital to mainstream compliance, protecting companion animal health and strengthening consumer confidence in the Indian pet food market.
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