United States · Pet Food

AAFCO Model Regulations in the United States

A practical guide to AAFCO Model Regulations for pet food sold in the United States: who it applies to, what to prepare, and the mistakes that cause rejection.

Who needs it

Manufacturers and importers of pet food and animal feed; Online sellers shipping pet food into the United States

Authority

Association of American Feed Control Officials

Legal basis

AAFCO model bills and regulations

Local representative

A local importer or agent is required

Timeline

Before sale; registration can take weeks

Cost

Registration and testing fees vary by market

If you do not comply

Import refusal, recall, and fines

Who needs this

Manufacturers and importers of pet food and animal feed
Online sellers shipping pet food into the United States

Documents you need

Ingredient and additive review
Manufacturing facility registration
Labelling and claims review
Health or export certificates

Compliance checklist

Tick each item as you collect it. Saved in this browser only.

Ingredient and additive review
Manufacturing facility registration
Labelling and claims review
Health or export certificates

How to comply

Check ingredient and additive eligibility
Register the facility or product
Prepare local-language labels
Keep batch and traceability records

Brief for your lab or agent

Copy this into an email, then edit the product and channel.

Request: AAFCO Model Regulations — United States
Product category: Pet Food
Authority: Association of American Feed Control Officials
Legal basis: AAFCO model bills and regulations

Documents we already have:
  1. Ingredient and additive review
  2. Manufacturing facility registration
  3. Labelling and claims review
  4. Health or export certificates

Questions:
  1. Does our product fall under AAFCO Model Regulations in the United States?
  2. Which test standards or evidence do you accept?
  3. What is the current fee and lead time?
  4. Is a local representative required, and can you act as one?

Cost and timeline

Before sale; registration can take weeks.

Registration and testing fees vary by market.

Common rejection reasons

Ingredient not approved
Label claims unsupported
Facility not registered
Traceability records missing

Registration, notification, or certification is not the same as approval. Keep the technical file current and make sure the label, listing, and submitted data match.

Official sources

FAQ

Who needs AAFCO Model Regulations in the United States?

Manufacturers and importers of pet food and animal feed. Online sellers shipping pet food into the United States. The importer of record normally holds the evidence.

What documents do I need for AAFCO Model Regulations?

Ingredient and additive review; Manufacturing facility registration; Labelling and claims review; and health or export certificates.

What is the first step for AAFCO Model Regulations?

Check ingredient and additive eligibility, then register the facility or product. Before sale; registration can take weeks.

How long does AAFCO Model Regulations take?

Before sale; registration can take weeks.

How much does AAFCO Model Regulations cost?

Registration and testing fees vary by market.

What happens if I sell without it?

Import refusal, recall, and fines.

Who regulates AAFCO Model Regulations in the United States?

Association of American Feed Control Officials.