An example of how saturated AAFCO has become by feed industry employees can be found on page 304 in the Official Publication 1994, Association of American Feed Control Officials. Here they list the members for a group used to develop, and review standards for terms used on pet food labels. The group is comprised of six AAFCO members. Four of the six are pet food company employees: Ken Johannes, Hill's Pet Products Inc.; Dan Chauslow, Westreco, Inc.; Dave Bebiak, Ralston Purina Co.; and Mark Finke, Alpo Petfoods, Inc.
Another prime example of who AAFCO works for was demonstrated in an AAFCO ruling that took effect in 1995: AAFCO voted to stop recognizing the tables in the government's publication, Nutrient Requirements of Dogs, as a standard for a pet food company to claim a dog food as "complete and balanced." These tables show zero amount of vitamin C should be added to dog food. A food that contained any amount above zero would not meet old regulations and be able to make the "complete and balanced" claim. Justification for the government's recommendations for zero vitamin C in a dog food are found on pages 37 and 38 of their publication, Nutrient Requirements of Dogs, Vitamin C in dog food can cause kidney and liver problems. But pet food companies wanted vitamin C in dog food as a preservative so the food would not go rancid while sitting in a warehouse or at the retailers. AAFCO did not worry about the health of the animals eating the food and simply changed their guidelines to allow pet food companies to include vitamin C and still be able to claim a food is "complete and balanced."
Some agencies may have old regulations on their books they could enforce, but since the late 80's not one federal or state agency has shown any interest in controlling ingredients going into pet foods or the labeling of those ingredients. They have left it to AAFCO. Today the most stringent regulations being imposed on U. S. pet food companies are from local Business Licensing Agencies or Fire Departments concerned with building codes.
The pet food industry has shown us a worst-case scenario for privatization and self-regulation. U. S. pet food buyers should be getting honest pet food labeling. Labels should be standardized so that they are readable and understandable by the average pet owner. Ingredients used in commercial pet foods should also meet set standards. The control of this industry should go back to state and federal agencies. I believe that state and federal laws dealing with human food products can be extended to include pet food products ... then these laws must be assigned to the proper state and federal agencies to be enforced. We should be able to buy pet foods that come from manufacturing facilities that are licensed and regulated by government agencies who are there to protect both the buyers and consumers of the products produced at those facilities.
This article was written by The Animal Advocate
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