U.S. regulations on imported pet foods are becoming increasingly strict. To help customers better understand the U.S. pet food regulatory system, this article aims to detail these regulations and regulatory processes.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIS)Under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), its primary responsibility is to monitor biological terrorist activities that may occur in agriculture, invasion of alien species, etc., to ensure public health and the safety of U.S. agriculture and natural resources.

The United States Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA):It belongs to the U.S. Department of Health and Public Services (HHS), whose main responsibility is to ensure the safety and effectiveness of food, medicines, etc. In the field of pet food, the FDA is mainly responsible for the inspection and registration of imported foods.

The American Feed Management Association (AAFCO)It is mainly responsible for coordinating the regulation of the states feed industry and providing advice for the formulation of feed laws and regulations.

Imported pet foods must comply with the relevant requirements of the 2002 Public Health Safety and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act, specifically as follows:

Registration by FDA:All foreign pet food manufacturers exporting to the United States are required to register on the FDA website, provide necessary information and obtain a registration code.In addition, registered companies are required to update their registration information every two years.

The import license:Imported pet foods containing ingredients of animal origin require entry permits from the U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspectorate, except for pure cows skin or deer-made bite or snacks.

Foreign Supplier Verification Program FSVP:This verification program requires U.S. importers to conduct hazard analysis and assessment of their imported foods and their suppliers and to determine appropriate verification activities based on the assessment results.

In addition to the above core regulatory requirements, importers should also pay attention to the following:

Submission of prior notification:Every part of imported food must be “notified in advance” before arriving in the United States.
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Documentation (HACCP)The necessary risk assessment documentation.
Voluntary Qualified Importers Program (VQIP)Voluntary participation is aimed at simplifying import processes.
Other regulatory requirements:Additional regulatory requirements may apply depending on the specific type and ingredients of pet food.

The U.S. regulatory system for imported pet foods is complex but strict, designed to ensure imported pet foods are safe and of high quality. It is essential for wishing to export to the U.S. market to understand and follow these regulations.