WAC 16-252-090   Ingredient statement terms.  Pet food and specialty pet food ingredients listed on the label or on file at the plant producing the product must comply with the following:

     (1) The name of each ingredient must conform to one of the following:

     (a) Ingredients must have an official definition in the AAFCO official publication;

     (b) If there is no official definition for an ingredient in the AAFCO official publication, then an ingredient with an AAFCO tentative definition may be used;

     (c) The ingredient is defined in WAC 16-252-015; or

     (d) The ingredient has a commonly accepted name that requires no definition, for example, sugar.

     (2) Each ingredient of a pet food or specialty pet food must be listed separately. Collective terms may not be used on pet food or specialty pet food labeling.

     (3) Ingredients in the ingredient statement must not list specific ingredient weights or concentrations, but must be listed in descending order by weight.

     (4) A single ingredient product, as defined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials official publication, does not need an ingredient statement.

     (5) The names of all listed ingredients must be shown in the same size of letters and type.

     (6) Commercial, copyrighted, brand, or trade names must not be used in the ingredient statement.

     (7) No reference to quality or grade of an ingredient may appear in the ingredient statement.

     (8) The term "dehydrated" may precede the name of any product that has been artificially dried.

     (9) When the word "iodized" is used in connection with a feed ingredient, the ingredient must contain at least 0.007% iodine, uniformly distributed.

     (10) The term "degermed" must precede the name of any product from which germs were wholly or partially removed.

     (11) If a drug is used, it does not have to be listed in the ingredient statement. However, the drug name is required to be listed on the label (see WAC 16-252-025 and 16-252-042).

     (12) Unless meat and meat by-products are made from cattle, swine, sheep or goats, the terms "meat" and "meat by-products" must specifically identify the animal from which they are derived.

     (13) When water is added in the preparation of canned pet food or specialty pet food, the water must be listed as an ingredient.



[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.53 and 34.05 RCW. 03-23-129, § 16-252-090, filed 11/19/03, effective 7/1/04.]