What are the minimum number of nutrients required by Aafco to be on the guaranteed analysis
Andrew White
Published Mar 08, 2026
By AAFCO regulations, the guaranteed analysis is only required to list four nutrients: crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber and moisture.
What are the Aafco guidelines?
- Product and brand name.
- Species of animal that the food is intended for.
- Net quantity.
- Guaranteed analysis.
- Ingredient list.
- Nutritional adequacy statement (complete and balanced statement)
- Feeding directions.
- Name and location of the manufacturer.
Why might some nutrients have a minimum guaranteed analysis?
All pet food labels require a guaranteed analysis on the label to advise the purchaser of the product’s nutrient content. At minimum, guarantees are required for minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.
What is required to be listed in the guaranteed analysis of a feed label?
Guaranteed Analysis. At minimum, many state regulations require a pet food to guarantee the minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and the maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture. The “crude” term refers to the specific method of testing the product, not to the quality of the nutrient itself.How do I calculate the guaranteed analysis in my pet treats?
- Guaranteed Crude Protein ÷ Dry Matter Content x 100 = True Protein Content.
- Guaranteed Crude Fat ÷ Dry Matter Content x 100 = True Fat Content.
- Guaranteed Crude Fiber ÷ Dry Matter Content x 100 = True Fiber Content.
What is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles?
Label states: “ABC Dog (Cat) Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog (Cat) Food Nutrient Profiles for (appropriate life stage).”
What are AAFCO feeding trials?
Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Product X provides complete and balanced nutrition for Life Stage Y. Product X provides complete and balanced nutrition for Life Stage Y and is comparable in nutritional adequacy to a product which has been substantiated using AAFCO feeding tests.
What is all required on a feed label?
This includes: product name, a product purpose statement (if the product is medicated, the intended use of the product is required), levels of essential nutrients provided, the ingredients used to make the feed, feeding directions (adequate directions for use), cautions and/or warnings, manufacturer/distributor …How many essential nutrients do dogs need?
The six basic nutrients are water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. These essential nutrients are required as part of the dog’s regular diet and are involved in all of the basic functions of the body.
How must ingredients be listed on cosmetic labels?The ingredients must be declared in descending order of predominance. Color additives (21 CFR 701.3(f)(3)) and ingredients present at one percent or less (21 CFR 701.3(f)(2)) may be declared without regard for predominance.
Article first time published onWhat does the Aafco do?
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a voluntary membership association of local, state and federal agencies. Our members are charged by their local, state or federal laws to regulate the sale and distribution of animal feeds and animal drug remedies.
What is the guaranteed analysis?
Broadly speaking, the Guaranteed Analysis (GA) is the nutrient profile found on the back of the bag or can. GAs divulge the diet’s basic nutrient composition (ie; the make-up of crude fat, crude protein, and moisture). To put it simply, GAs are just that – guaranteed. You know exactly what you are getting!
What is guaranteed fertilizer analysis?
The guaranteed analysis (or fertilizer grade) is a listing of nutrients contained in the bag, by weight. The first number of the analysis lists % N, the second number represents % P2O5 (phosphate), and the third number % K2O (potash). The guaranteed analysis of the fertilizer in the above example is: 18-6-12.
What does MIN and MAX mean in cat food?
For example, a box of cat food may read: “Crude protein (max) — 32%”. That means it contains at least that much protein. It could have more, but no less. On the other hand, a box of cat food that reads: “Crude fiber (min) — 20%” means it is guaranteed to have that much fiber but no more.
How much does a guaranteed analysis cost?
A lab analysis for Nutrition Facts nutrients and proximates averages about $800-1,000 per sample, and analysis for any extra nutrients could run up to $100 each.
What percentage of crude fiber should be in dog food?
IAMS research shows that the optimal crude-fiber level for healthy dogs ranges from 1.4 to 3.5%. At these levels, nutrient digestibility is maximized.
Is Purina One AAFCO approved?
Purina ONE Lamb & Rice Formula is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance of adult dogs.
Is simply nourish AAFCO approved?
Simply Nourish is an US-based dog food, manufactured by American Nutrition. … American Nutrition was founded in 1972. They are a quality and trusted manufacturer, and consistently meet USDA, FDA, and AAFCO standards.
Is Royal Canin AAFCO approved?
Royal Canin suppliers also meet AAFCO standards, and they have a strict food testing program to ensure quality and safety in both raw materials and finished goods. … Royal Canin grinds its corn very finely before the corn is added to any formulas, making it an effective and digestible carbohydrate source.
Does Blue Buffalo meet AAFCO standards?
Yes, Blue Buffalo`s pet food formulas are AAFCO approved. … Blue Buffalo dog food and cat food recipes are all formulated to meet the AAFCO nutritional guidelines.
Does all dog food meet AAFCO standards?
There is no AAFCO-approved pet food. Most state feed laws and regulations reference to the AAFCO Official Publication as part of the nutritional adequacy labeling for pet foods. This reference is to an AAFCO-established, science-based, nutritional standard.
Is Purina Beneful AAFCO approved?
Beneful food is made in Purina-owned facilities across the United States with sourcing and processing that meets or exceeds FDA and AAFCO standards for pet food.
Why are the 6 essential nutrients important?
There are 6 essential nutrients that the body needs to function properly. Nutrients are compounds in foods essential to life and health, providing us with energy, the building blocks for repair and growth and substances necessary to regulate chemical processes.
How many kilos should I feed my dog?
We recommend that in general your dog should consume around 2% to 3% of its body weight per day. Therefore a dog weighing 5kg should be eating approximately 100g of food per day.
What nutrients do senior dogs need?
Like their whippersnapper counterparts, senior dogs need basic nutrients—protein, fat, carbohydrates and fiber, vitamins and minerals—to thrive. Because of the changes that occur during the aging process, however, older dogs often have their own dietary requirements.
Why do we need to label the manufactured feeds?
Food labels provide important information to consumers and assist them in making informed purchase decisions. … The labels can include specific nutrient claims as well as detailed nutrient composition data.
Is the net weight required on a feed label?
Label Requirements for Feed sold in bags or other containers It may appear on the bag or container itself or on an attached tag or label: Net weight of the contents. The product name and brand name, if any. The name and address of the licensee.
Is net weight required on a food label?
Tell consumers how much product is contained in the package. The Net Weight needs to be displayed on the same panel as the Statement of Identity, and both metric (grams, kilograms, milliliters, liters) and U.S. Customary System units (ounces, pounds, fluid ounces) should be used.
What should be on a Skincare label?
The label must first list the name and quantity of the drug(s), kind and amount of alcohol (if any), and then the remaining ingredients. You want to make sure consumers can read what’s in your product, so do not use a font smaller than 1/16”.
Do beauty products have to list all ingredients?
The law does not require cosmetic products and ingredients, except for color additives, to be approved by FDA before they go on the market. … You are legally responsible for making sure your cosmetics are safe and properly labeled, in compliance with all the laws and regulations that apply to them.
Do cosmetics have active ingredients?
Basically, there is no such thing as an active ingredient in cosmetics. If a product has an active ingredient, it is a drug.