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As the demand for premium and functional pet food continues to grow globally, manufacturers are approaching cross border ingredient sourcing to take advantage of unique proteins, plant-based extracts, and specialty ingredients. However, going from sourcing to shelf is rarely a straight pathway.

Pet Food Manufacturing Challenges in Cross-Border Ingredient Sourcing

Pet Food . November 05, 2025

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As the demand for premium and functional pet food continues to grow globally, manufacturers are approaching cross border ingredient sourcing to take advantage of unique proteins, plant-based extracts, and specialty ingredients. However, going from sourcing to shelf is rarely a straight pathway.

At Food Research Lab we have analyzed the influence of regulatory fragmentation, diverse COA verification standards, logistics complications, and gaps in traceability in the product development cycle. These further affects the time to market, product integrity, safety, and brand reputation.

From a science led approach, we support Manufacturers in:

  • Identifying global suppliers who are reputable, compliant, and high quality.
  • Validating CoAs and ingredient articulation
  • Creating digital traceability systems and regulatory intelligence background checks.
  • Efficient logistics and sustainability verification.

This article will discuss the major cross-border sourcing challenges and how FRL navigate them with confidence, compliance, and innovation [1] [2].

Key Cross-Border Ingredient Sourcing Challenges

1. Regulatory fragmentation across markets

While sourcing ingredients across borders, navigating diverse and evolving regulations are one of the major hurdles for manufacturers. Each country has unique rules on food safety, labeling standards, import/export licenses, tax laws, tariffs, and documentation requirements. Minor errors on documentation and classification of ingredients can even cause custom delays, penalties, or shipment seizures. At FRL we identified the following challenges:
  • European Union (EU): Yeast derived proteins were approved under the Feed Hygiene (EC No. 183/2005), Feed Materials (EC No. 767/2009) and Animal By-products (EC No. 1069/2009; however, the FSSAI required revalidation, due to discrepancies in composition and labeling mismatches, delaying quarantine clearance.
  • US: India required the additional microbiological and compositional testing for plant-based antioxidant extract under FSS (Import) Regulations, 2017 which caused delays in port clearance even though it is compliant under Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA, 21 CFR Part 507) and AAFCO standards
  • China: Amino acid mix though registered with MARA and GACC under Catalog of Feed Materials/Additives, required further additional confirmation by FSSAI. Because discrepancies in certificate format and analytical reference standards resulted in resampling and ultimately delayed the customs clearance process.
  • Thailand: Functional fish protein hydrolysate approved by Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development (DLD) also required the traceability and residue-free certification in compliant with Indian regulations, which adds extra time to imports [3] [4] [5].
At FRL, we use a regulatory intelligence framework combining import codes, international feed regulations, and dossier templates. This framework allows importers to anticipate the requirements of each country, prepare documentation ahead of shipment, and ensure a faster and compliant clearance of ingredients into India.

2. Certificate of Analysis (CoA) Inconsistencies

Discrepancies in Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) also causes frequent customs inquiries and product delays. CoAs are intended to demonstrate ingredient quality and safety; however, specific CoA content, structure, and validation standards differ widely from supplier to supplier and country to country – typically in contradiction with FSSAI import verification standards.

Typical discrepancies noted by FRL include:

  • Analyte parameters are missing entirely (i.e., microbial load, peroxide value, moisture content, heavy metals)
  • Testing methods are not equivalent; for example, exporters rely on AOAC or in-house methods, rather than ISO/BIS methods accepted in India
  • Mismatched numbers between CoA and shipping documents leads to sample rejection
  • Older CoAs (sometimes issued months before the shipment) without batch revalidation
  • Inconsistent measuring units, unclear or missing supplier details
  • Unaccredited laboratories provide CoAs without ISO 17025 recognition
  • Formatting errors, including absences of test references; unclear product identifiers; and missing analysis date
  • Digitally altered and duplicated COAs are identified during FRL’s audit, raising authenticity concerns [6].

To meet this challenge, the FRL developed an AI-enabled CoA Validation system which scans supplier data for completeness, verifies analytical parameters through a ISO 17025 accredited third-party laboratory, and saves the result in a digital CoA repository. This ensures traceability, standardized documentation, and faster governmental approval during FSSAI inspections, while also decreased re-sampling and clearance delays.

3. Documentation and Custom Barriers

Documentation is critical as it influence the customs to hold, reject, or defer clearance of shipment if there are any minor discrepancies in HS codes, batch numbers, and certificate format. At FRL we observed the following documentation errors:

  • Missing sanitary and feed-grade feed standards certification for animal-based ingredients.
  • Certificates of origin issued by unrecognized authorities or without re-export validation.
  • Minor errors in product description and HS code.
  • Products had labeling gaps (storage instructions, feed-use disclaimers, and shelf life).
  • Animal-origin proteins did not have species identification or disease-free statements in the veterinary certification.
  • Fumigation and phytosanitary reports for plant-based ingredients were not in proper format for an Indian port [3] [7].
Pet Food Manufacturing Challenges in Cross-Border Ingredient Sourcing (1)

Through Regulatory Compliance Desk, FRL help manufacturers with verified documentation templates in alignment with different regulations (FSSAI, USDA, EFSA, and GACC protocols) for quicker clearance and fewer port delays.

4. Supply Chain and Logistical Hurdles

Even when the product is fully compliant issues in supply chain and logistics often create delays because of temperature-sensitive shipping and unpredictable border clearances [8].

Challenge

Description

Impact

Complex Shipping

Long transit routes expose ingredients to temperature and handling variations.

Risk of spoilage, contamination, and nutrient loss.

Customs Delays

Different inspection and quota systems across countries prolong clearance.

Long lead times, higher cargo costs, and planning disruption.

Storage & Handling

Sensitive ingredients need cold-chain or segregated storage facilities.

Increased logistics cost and infrastructure investment.

Trade & Health Disruptions

Pandemics, trade restrictions, or political tensions block key routes.

Shortages and affect pricing

FRL supports clients with ERP-based shipment tracking, predictive analytics, smart sourcing networks, and route-risk mapping to help minimize expensive disruptions while maintaining ingredient quality, timing, and compliance.

5. Traceability and Transparency Gaps

Monitoring ingredients from their source to the finished product is a persistent cross-border issue.

  • Supplier chains can be multi-tiered (many suppliers), making visibility harder.
  • Data gaps throughout the transfer between intermediaries create traceability blind spots.
  • Inadequate documentation systems influence rapid recalls [1].

FRL’s have built a blockchain-enabled traceability system that records every batch movement, CoA verification, and supplier transaction in real-time, providing end-to-end transparency and quicker recall.

6. Economic and Currency Volatility

Importing ingredients internationally exposes manufacturers to potential price changes influenced by currency exchange rate, increased fuel surcharges, and spikes in global demand. Even a steep decline in currency value, and/or container shortages can quickly and instantaneously change landed costs and affects formulation budgets and long-term stability [1].

FRL uses data-driven procurement analytics that utilize forecasting models to learn about commodity markets and currency trends. Furthermore, FRL finds ways to negotiate flexible multi-region contracts on ingredients and identifies the appropriate windows during the sourcing process to provide stability and manage volatility.

7. Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing Compliance

Pet food brands are constantly under pressure to follow sustainable, cruelty-free, and traceable sourcing. However, certification requirements create confusion over label equivalency and compliance as they vary from Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Rainforest Alliance to Non-GMO Project. For instance, the algae oil certified as organic in one region will not be organic in another region, resulting in delivery delays and/ or re-labeling [9].

FRL helps manufacturers source ingredients in alignment with global sustainability standards and sustainability metrics. This ensures both compliance with regulations and consumer trust in responsible sourcing and pet food formulation.

Conclusion

As the worldwide pet food market continues to grow, so do the challenges of sourcing safe, sustainable, and compliant ingredients across borders. To remain competitive, manufacturers need to balance regulatory compliance, supply chain precision, and sustainability initiatives.

Food Research Lab help you source cross border ingredients and create better formulations that is regulatory compliant, sustainable, and premium pet nutrition products satisfying consumer needs worldwide.

References:

  1. Cecil, P. (2024). Cross-Border Supply Chain Optimization: Strategies for Managing International Operations While Maintaining Speed and Cost Efficiency. International Journal of Scientific Research and Management (IJSRM), 12(05), 6565-6588. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.18535/ijsrm/v12i05.em23
  2. Calderwood, L. (2022, July 5). Challenges continue to keep pet food manufacturers on their toes. Pet Food Processing. https://www.petfoodprocessing.net/articles/15947-challenges-continue-to-keep-pet-food-manufacturers-on-their-toes
  3. (n.d.). Rules and regulation for animal food import and export [Blog post]. Professional Utilities. https://www.professionalutilities.com/blogs/animal-food-import-and-export-rules-and-regulations.php
  4. Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries. (2005, December 29). Pet Food Products of Animal Origin (Import into India) Order, 2005 (S.O. 1842 (E)). The Gazette of India. https://www.pfndai.org/Document/Gazette/FSSAI/066_1842.pdf
  5. Bhardwaj, N. (2023, October 20). Food import procedure in India and FSSAI’s latest regulatory changes. India Briefing. https://www.india-briefing.com/news/food-import-procedure-india-fssai-steps-reforms-29980.html
  6. Creff-Froger, C., Bessiral, M., Fourmond, M. P., Hedou, C., & Perrin-Guyomard, A. (2017). Certificates of analysis: a challenge to interpret. EuroReference-Les Cahiers de la Référence, (3), 27-34. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325389585
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