Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 21 - Agriculture and Land Stewardship Department
Chapter 42 - Pet Food
Rule 21-42.4 - Expression of Guarantees

(1) The sliding scale method of expressing a guaranteed analysis (for example, "protein 15-18 percent") is prohibited.

(2) Pursuant to Iowa Code section 198.5, the label of a pet food which is formulated as and represented to be a mineral supplement shall include in the guaranteed analysis the minimum and maximum percentage of calcium, the minimum percentage of phosphorus and the minimum and maximum percentage of salt. The minimum content of all other essential nutrient elements recognized by the AAFCO Dog or Cat Food Nutrient Profile or other AAFCO-recognized nutrient profile from sources declared in the ingredient statement shall be expressed as the element in units specified in the recognized nutrient profile. Products labeled as per 42.2(2) may express the mineral guarantees in milligrams (mg) per unit (e.g., tablets, capsules, granules, or liquids) consistent with those employed in the quantity statement and directions for use. Liquids expressed as volume must also list a weight equivalent (e.g., 1 fl. oz. = 28 grams).

(3) Vitamins guaranteed on pet food labels shall be stated in international units per kilogram (lU/kg) for vitamins A, D, and E. All other vitamins shall be stated in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) except vitamin B12 which may be guaranteed in micrograms per kilogram (ug/kg).

(4) The label of a pet food which is formulated as and represented to be a vitamin supplement shall include a guarantee of the minimum content of each vitamin declared in the ingredient statement. Vitamin guarantees shall be expressed as per 42.4(3). Products labeled as per 42.2(2) may express the vitamin guarantees in approved units (e.g., lU, mg, g) per unit (e.g., tablets, capsules, granules, or liquids) consistent with those employed in the quantity statement and directions for use. Liquids expressed as volume must also list a weight equivalent (e.g., 1 fl. oz. = 28 grams).

(5) If the label of a pet food does not represent the pet food to be either a vitamin or a mineral supplement, but does include a table of Cornparison of a typical analysis of the vitamin, mineral, or nutrient content of the pet food with levels reCornmended by an AAFCO-recognized animal nutrition authority, such Cornparison may be stated in the units of measurement used in the AAFCO Dog or Cat Food Nutrient Profiles. The statement in a table of Cornparison of the vitamin, mineral, or nutrient content shall constitute a guarantee, but need not be repeated in the guaranteed analysis. Such table of Cornparison may appear on the label separate and apart from the guaranteed analysis.

(6) The use of percentages or words of similar import when referring to nutrient levels established by the AAFCO Dog or Cat Food Nutrient Profiles or other AAFCO-recognized nutrient profile shall not be permitted on pet food labels, except that such direct Cornparisons in whole or part of the individual nutrient contents of a pet food with those reCornmended by the recognized nutrient profile may be made where the Cornparisons are expressed in the same quantitative units as those used by the cited nutrient profile, and

(7) Guarantees for crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber are not required when the pet food is intended for purposes other than to furnish these substances or they are of minor significance relating to the primary purpose of the product, such as mineral or vitamin supplements.