The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) provides specific guidelines for defining "natural" in the context of pet food ingredients. This definition is essential for manufacturers aiming to align with industry standards for natural labeling and ingredient sourcing. Here, we’ll break down the criteria set by AAFCO and how they apply to natural pet food ingredients.
Defining “Natural” Ingredients According to AAFCO Standards
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) provides specific guidelines for defining “natural” in the context of pet food ingredients. This definition is essential for manufacturers aiming to align with industry standards for natural labeling and ingredient sourcing. Here, we’ll break down the criteria set by AAFCO and how they apply to natural pet food ingredients.
1. What does AAFCO define as a “natural” ingredient?
According to AAFCO, a natural ingredient is one that is:
- Sourced from Nature: Derived solely from plant, animal, or mined sources.
- Allowed Processing Methods: The ingredient may be unprocessed or processed through physical methods, such as heat, rendering, purification, extraction, hydrolysis, enzymolysis, or fermentation.
- No Synthetic Chemicals: The ingredient should not undergo any chemically synthetic processing or contain synthetic additives. However, minor traces of synthetic substances may be permissible if they are unavoidable under good manufacturing practices.
2. What types of processing are acceptable for natural ingredients?
AAFCO allows various non-synthetic processing methods to retain the “natural” status of an ingredient, including:
- Physical Processing: Methods like grinding or milling.
- Heat Processing: Cooking or heating to ensure safety or improve digestibility.
- Rendering and Purification: Processes that remove impurities or extract components.
- Enzymatic and Microbial Methods: Hydrolysis and enzymolysis are used to break down proteins or other compounds, while fermentation can naturally preserve or enhance nutritional content.
3. Are additives allowed in natural ingredients?
AAFCO specifies that natural ingredients should not contain synthetic additives or processing aids, except for trace amounts that are unavoidable through good manufacturing practices. This guideline ensures that the term “natural” maintains its integrity, limiting the presence of synthetic chemicals to those that may inadvertently occur.
Summary of AAFCO’s “Natural” Ingredient Definition
| Criterion | Details |
| Source | Derived from plant, animal, or mined sources without synthetic processing. |
| Allowed Processing | Includes physical, heat, rendering, extraction, hydrolysis, enzymolysis, and fermentation. |
| Synthetic Additives | No synthetic additives or processing aids, except minor traces that are unavoidable. |
For more insights on natural pet food formulations and ingredient sourcing, explore Food Research Lab’s Pet Nutrition Consulting Services. At FRL, we help pet food manufacturers align with regulatory definitions, ensuring transparency and quality for pet owners seeking natural food options.
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