New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules
Agr - Commissioner, Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food
Chapter Agr 1200 - COMMERCIAL FEEDS
Part Agr 1203 - PET FOOD AND SPECIALTY PET FOOD
Section Agr 1203.10 - Descriptive Terms

Universal Citation: NH Admin Rules Agr 1203.10

Current through Register No. 40, October 3, 2024

(a) Calorie terms used on labels shall be subject to the following requirements:

(1) Labels using the term "light" shall comply with the following:
a. Dog food products bearing the terms "light," "lite," "low calorie," or words of similar designation shall contain and state on the label:
1. No more than 3100 kcal ME/kg for products containing less than 20% moisture;

2. No more than 2500 kcal ME/kg for products containing 20% or more but less than 65% moisture;

3. No more than 900 kcal ME/kg for products containing 65% or more moisture;

4. A calorie content statement in accordance with the format provided in Agr 1203.09; and

5. Feeding directions which reflect a reduction in calorie intake consistent with the intended use, and

b. Cat food products bearing the terms "light," "lite," "low calorie," or words of similar designation shall contain and state on the label:
1. No more than 3250 kcal ME/kg for products containing less than 20% moisture;

2. No more than 2650 kcal ME/kg for products containing 20% or more but less than 65% moisture;

3. No more than 950 kcal ME/kg for products containing 65% or more moisture;

4. A calorie content statement in accordance with the format provided in Agr 1203.09; and

5. Feeding directions which reflect a reduction in calorie intake consistent with the intended use; and

(2) Labels using the terms "less" or "reduced calories" shall comply with the following:
a. The name of the product of comparison and the percentage of calorie reduction, expressed on an equal weight basis, explicitly stated and juxtaposed with the largest or most prominent use of the claim on each panel of the label on which the term appears;

b. The comparative statement printed in type of the same color and style and at least one-half the type size used in the claim;

c. A calorie content statement in accordance with the format provided in Agr 1203.09;

d. Feeding directions shall reflect a reduction in calories compared to feeding directions for the product of comparison; and

e. Comparisons between products in different categories of moisture content, such asless than 20%, 20% or more but less than 65%, and 65% or more, shall be deemed misleading;

(b) Fat terms used on labels shall be subject to the following requirements:

(1) Dog food product labels bearing the terms "lean", "low fat", or words of similar designation shall contain and guarantee on the label:
a. No more than 9% crude fat for products containing less than 20% moisture;

b. No more than 7% crude fat for products containing 20% or more but less than 65% moisture;

c. No more than 4% crude fat for products containing 65% or more moisture; and

d. A maximum crude fat guarantee immediately following the minimum crude fat guarantee in addition to the mandatory guaranteed analysis information as specified in Agr 1203.04(a)(1); and

(2) Cat food product labels bearing the terms "lean", "low fat", or words of similar designation shall contain and guarantee on the label:
a. No more than 10% crude fat for products containing less than 20% moisture;

b. No more than 8% crude fat for products containing 20% or more but less than 65% moisture;

c. No more than 5% crude fat for products containing 65% or more moisture; and

d. A maximum crude fat guarantee immediately following the minimum crude fat guarantee in addition to the mandatory guaranteed analysis information as specified in Agr 1203.04(a)(1); and

(3) Labels using the terms "less" or "reduced fat" shall comply with the following:
a. For dog or cat food labels bearing a claim of "less fat", "reduced fat", or words of similar designation, the percentage of reduction and the product of comparison shall be explicitly stated and juxtaposed with the claim in the same size, style, and color print;

b. The product label shall also bear a maximum crude fat guarantee in the guaranteed analysis immediately following the minimum crude fat guarantee in addition to the mandatory guaranteed analysis information as specified in Agr 1203.04(a)(1); and

c. Comparisons between products in different categories of moisture content, such as less than 20%, 20% or more but less than 65%, 65% or more, shall be deemed misleading.

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