IS 11968:2019 is the Standards specifications for pet food for dogs and cats published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is a guiding regulation that is designed to ensure food safety and quality of pet food products. The standard covers core attributes including safety of ingredients, nutrition profiles, and use of additives and preservatives and presents a regulatory landscape that manufactures must follow for compliance when marketing pet food in India. This forms a critical foundation for pet food product development and pet food formulation & development processes.
Additives and Preservatives – Safe Usage in Pet Food Products from IS 11968:2019
IS 11968:2019 is the Standards specifications for pet food for dogs and cats published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is a guiding regulation that is designed to ensure food safety and quality of pet food products. The standard covers core attributes including safety of ingredients, nutrition profiles, and use of additives and preservatives and presents a regulatory landscape that manufactures must follow for compliance when marketing pet food in India. This forms a critical foundation for pet food product development and pet food formulation & development processes.
Regulatory Information Related to Additives and Preservatives
IS 11968:2019 provides specific guidance regarding additives and preservatives to support the safety and integrity of pet food, as well as shelf-life stability of the products. The regulation states that any additive or preservative that is introduced into the pet food must be safe for use by the animal without any effects to its health. Limits apply to the type, quantity, and functional use of additives and preservatives, key considerations in pet food product innovation. [1]
Safety Assurance and Permissible Levels
Regulations stipulate that the levels of additives and preservatives must be within safe and permissible levels which are established by toxicology and nutrition studies. Manufacturers must also ensure that these additives and preservatives do not exceed maximum residue limits where they could be harmful or present any toxicology concerns in the animal. This regulation also incorporates the health and safety criteria that indicates the maximum usage levels should reflect safe and scientifically supported limits, drawn from global best practice that added residue from any permitted additive does not accumulate to harmful levels in the animal. This framework directly impacts pet food ingredient regulations and influences pet food formulation practices. [2]
Categories of Approved Additives and their Functional Roles
IS 11968:2019, classifies additives and preservatives broadly according to function, which includes antioxidants, preservatives to control microbial growth, stabilizers, emulsifiers, flavour enhancers (flavourings), and coloring agents. Each category has usage stipulations described as follows:
- Antioxidants – Permitted to prevent rancidity and nutrient deterioration, preserve fat quality and extend shelf-life. Only antioxidants that have been evaluated as safe to be used in animals are permitted to be used.
- Preservatives – Permitted to prevent microbial contamination (eg. bacteria, molds) to ensure the microbiological quality of products. Only preservatives that have been approved by the BIS and reputable global agency are to be used; this applies to both food and compliments supplements.
- Stabilizers and emulsifiers – Permitted for functionality purposes to maintain physical and chemical stability of wet and dry food.
- Flavour enhancers (flavourings) and colorants – are permitted if they do not present toxicity risk and must comply with labeling laws. [3]
Additive Category | Function | Regulatory Notes |
Antioxidants | Prevent oxidation and rancidity | Approved antioxidants must be safe and within defined limits. |
Preservatives | Inhibit microbial growth | Only BIS-approved preservatives allowed; limits enforced. |
Stabilizers/Emulsifiers | Maintain physical stability | Permissible for maintaining texture and moisture balance. |
Flavor Enhancers | Improve palatability | Allowed only if non-toxic and safe for pets. |
Colorants | Provide appealing color | Natural or approved synthetic colorants only if safe. |
Safe Usage Limits and Prohibitions
The standard’s maximum allowable limits for each additive prevent consumption in excess while ensuring that residues remain below harmful toxicity levels. The standard disallows any offenders known to have a carcinogenic or mutagenic effect, or otherwise detrimental to pet health.
Additive Type | Maximum Permissible Limit (Example) | Notes |
Antioxidants (i.e. BHA, BHT) | 0.02% (on a weight basis) | Toxicology limits must be established based upon the allowable limit |
Preservatives (Propionic acid) | 0.1% (weight basis) | Must have very strict microbial controls |
Artificial Colorants | Restricted list only | Only approved (non-toxic) types |
There are also restricted substances including several chemical preservatives banned from animal feeds around the world. In keeping with IS 11968:2019, the list of restricted substances is consistent with the global standard to avoid risks to animal health. [4]
The following is a tabular overview of applicable instances of food additives used in companion animal foods and their typical maximum use levels (if applicable) as per IS 11968:2019 guidance:
*These product examples are some of the industry leaders in compliant regulatory practices and transparent ingredients that support the principles of using safe additives in accordance with IS 11968:2019
Note: Use levels may vary widely based on product formulation and label claims as the levels are often proprietary information. Generally, the use levels do not exceed toxicological limits set out in IS 11968:2019 or similar international standards.
Additive Category | Common Additives Used | Typical Usage Limit (Weight Basis) | Function | Example Brands Using Additives* |
Antioxidants | BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) | Not exceeding 0.02% | Prevent oxidation/rancidity | Royal Canin, Hill’s Science Diet |
Preservatives | Propionic acid, Sorbic acid | Up to 0.1% | Inhibit microbial growth | Pedigree, Farmina |
Stabilizers/Emulsifiers | Lecithin, Gums (xanthan gum) | Generally, <1% | Maintain texture and stability | Drools, Arden Grange |
Flavor Enhancers | Natural extracts, yeast extracts | It varies, safe for non-toxic level | Increase flavor, palatability | Whiskas, Hill’s Science Diet |
Colorants | Natural colourants e.g. (e.g. beetroot, etc.) | Restricted list only | Provide appealing color | Various premium brands |
Labeling and Documentation Requirements
- Manufacturers must disclose all additives and preservatives with complete transparency on product labels and disclose allergenic ingredients as legally required by regulation.
- The specification requires ingredient declaration by ingredient classes plus usage levels and functional purpose.
- Labeling compliance facilitates informed consumer choices and protects against unauthorized additive use, crucial aspects in pet food product innovation.
- IS 11968:2019 requires manufacturers to maintain retrospective records of source, batches, and quality certificates of ingredients used additives preservatives.
- The traceability enables audits by regulatory agencies, accountability, and compliance with regulatory guidelines of food safety. [5]
Testing and Verification Protocols
- The regulation requires routine testing of finished pet food products for residues from additives and preservatives and compliance with the terms of the regulation.
- The testing must be conducted with validated analytical methods that detect unapproved or excess amounts of the additives and preservatives.
- These routines are relevant factors, especially for approval by regulatory participants for certification and marketability. [6]
Regulatory Harmonization and Safety Benchmarks
- In addition IS 11968:2019 harmonizes the requirements for additives and preservatives with established international standards facilitating access to supporting toxicological and residue limits data.
- This alignment supports pet food formulation & development for international market entry based on scientifically robust safety evaluations.
- The standard integrates with Indian food laws and veterinary regulations, filling critical gaps in pet food ingredient safety. [1]
Conclusion
IS 11968:2019 establishes a comprehensive framework for the safe usage of additives and preservatives in pet food products, promoting transparency via labeling, rigorous documentation, and testing. It harmonizes national regulations with global safety benchmarks to safeguard pet health and enhance market accessibility. Food Research Lab (FRL) plays a pivotal role by delivering advanced testing protocols and regulatory support, helping manufacturers comply with IS 11968:2019 through dependable safety evidence and assurance in pet food product development and pet food formulation.
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