Retail sale of pet food

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This information covers the labelling of any type of compound or manufactured pet food which is on sale either:

• loose from bins, hoppers or other retail bulk displays; or
• in small prepacks you make up yourself by breaking down larger packs.

If you manufacture or mix your own pet foods for sale please contact us for further advice. If you buy in prepacked containers which you then offer for sale these should have already been labelled by the manufacturer or supplier.

What is a compound pet food?

A compound pet food is a product comprising of a mixture of ingredients (with or without additives, such as vitamins or trace elements), usually in the form of a coarse mix, kibbles/biscuits or as a wet food in tins or pouches.

What labelling is required?

The pet food must be labelled with a ‘statutory statement’ containing:

• The name and address of the person who guarantees the statement is accurate (normally the manufacturer).
• The description of the product. The description ‘complete pet food’ or ‘complementary pet food’ can be used instead of 'complete feeding stuff' or 'complementary feeding stuff'.
• The species of animal it is intended for with directions for its correct use (except where there are no more than three ingredients and it is clearly described by reference to those ingredients).
• For all pet foods except whole grain mixes the moisture level must be stated if it exceeds 14%.

Dog and cat foods must be labelled with details of the following (such declarations are optional for other pets):

• protein, oil, fibre and ash;
• all the ingredients listed in descending order by weight;
• the presence of additives such as antioxidants, colours, preservatives, etc;
• the presence of vitamins A, D and E, the amount present and the date at which that level will remain present;
• the presence of copper by indicating the name of the additive and the total level of the element, whether naturally present or added.

In the case of all compound pet foods the following information should be available either in the statutory statement or elsewhere on the label clearly indicated in the statutory statement:

• The net quantity.
• The minimum storage life expressed as best before (month and year) except where the product is highly perishable and has a short life when it should be given as use before (day, month and year). If a date is given for vitamin levels then this date should be used as a minimum.
• The batch number.
• The approval of registration number of the manufacturer.

Where particular attention is drawn to the presence or low content of one or more ingredients the minimum or maximum percentage must be clearly indicated. This advice includes the information that must be given; there is further
information that is optional.

Where will I find the statutory statement?

If the pet food arrives in a package or container, it should be included either directly on the container or on a label attached to it. Where the material arrives in bulk the information can be supplied in accompanying documentation.
The statutory statement must be clearly separate from other information, in English (subject to legislation), be legible and indelible.

How do I pass on the statutory statement to my customers?

When selling pet food loose from bins or hoppers the statutory statement must be displayed in a conspicuous place either attached to the bin or with the feed in such a way that it is clear to which product it relates. If you make up prepacked containers of less than 10kg for sale direct to the consumer a similar display notice can be used.

For other prepacked goods you must mark each pack with the statutory statement. Where food is sold loose care must be taken to ensure that any use by or best before dates and batch numbers are updated when new stock is
added. Consideration must also be given to efficient and effective stock rotation to ensure the accuracy of information given in the statutory statement.

What are the consequences of non-compliance?

Failure to comply with these requirements is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty on conviction in a magistrates court is a fine of £5000.

For further information please contact us.

Contact information

• email: ts.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone: 0141 840 3184 (select option 2)
• call in or write to us at:
  Renfrewshire Council
  Environmental Services
  Trading Standards
  Renfrewshire House
  Cotton Street
  Paisley
  PA1 1BR