The pet food AAFCO label is where manufacturers most often get stuck when shipping pet food or treats to the U.S. The reason: AAFCO is not a federal agency and does not “approve” products, but every U.S. state has adopted its label and ingredient standards. In practice, if the label does not follow the AAFCO format, the product is unlikely to reach a retail shelf or an Amazon listing. This article covers only the label and formulation side; for the APHIS VS Permit, FDA facility registration and customs steps, see our separate guide to exporting pet food to the U.S.
The label is built together with the formulation. To use “chicken” in the product name, the chicken content must exceed a set threshold; to claim “complete and balanced,” you need support from a nutrient profile or a feeding trial. That is why packaging design is done while the recipe is being finalized, not after production.
What Is AAFCO, and Why Is It the De Facto Standard?
AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) is the umbrella organization for the animal feed control agencies of the U.S. states. It publishes model regulations and label standards; states adopt these rules into their own laws, and the state officials who inspect retail shelves read labels against this standard. FDA, on the other hand, regulates pet food much like human food: facility registration, the US Agent, Prior Notice and the claim language on the label fall under FDA. One does not replace the other.
| Agency | Scope | On a pet food label |
| FDA | Facility registration, core label elements, claim language | Treatment claims are not allowed; a phrase like “cures allergies” can move the product into the drug category |
| State feed agencies and AAFCO | Label and ingredient standards | Product name rules, guaranteed analysis, nutritional adequacy statement |
| USDA APHIS | Animal health, import permits | Does not govern the label; the permit number appears on the shipping documents |
Required Elements of an AAFCO Label
- Product name and brand: Restrictions depend on the product's content; “chicken”, “chicken dinner”, “with chicken” and “chicken flavor” each require a different percentage, as detailed below.
- Species (target animal) statement: For example, dog food or cat treat.
- Guaranteed analysis: Minimum values for crude protein and crude fat, maximum values for crude fiber and moisture.
- Ingredient statement: The ingredient list, in descending order by weight, using AAFCO-defined ingredient names.
- Nutritional adequacy statement: If a “complete and balanced” claim is made, which life stage it applies to and how it was substantiated (AAFCO nutrient profile or feeding trial).
- Feeding directions: Feeding guidelines.
- Net quantity, manufacturer information, country of origin: Metric and oz/lb together; a country of origin statement such as “Product of India”; entirely in English.
For treats, the nutritional adequacy statement is usually declared as “intermittent or supplemental feeding only”; avoiding a “complete and balanced” claim is often the safer path for most manufacturers.
Product Name Rules: 95 Percent, 25 Percent, “With” and “Flavor”
Under the AAFCO model regulations, the product name falls into one of four tiers based on the share of the named ingredient in the formula. That is why the product name cannot be decided before the recipe is finalized:
| Name format | Example | Share of the named ingredient |
| 95 percent rule | “Chicken for Dogs”, “Beef Cat Food” | At least 95 percent of total weight (excluding water), at least 70 percent including water |
| 25 percent rule | “Chicken Dinner”, “Beef Entrée”, “Lamb Formula” | At least 25 percent but below 95 percent; the name carries a qualifier such as “dinner”, “entrée”, “platter” or “formula” |
| “With” rule | “Dog Food with Chicken” | At least 3 percent |
| “Flavor” rule | “Chicken Flavor Dog Food” | No minimum percentage; the flavor only needs to be detectable |
A common mistake: printing “Chicken” in large type on the package while the formula keeps chicken meal at 20 percent. In a state inspection, this label can be considered “misbranded” and the product may be pulled from the shelf. The right approach is to finalize the name and the recipe together.
Formulation and Label Differences by Product Group
Dry food (dry kibble)
This is the mainstream category; every channel, Amazon included, looks for an AAFCO-compliant label and “complete and balanced” substantiation. The nutrient profile calculation is done at the formulation stage, and the guaranteed analysis is supported by lab results.
Wet food (wet / canned)
In canned formats, the process side is added to the label work: if the product falls into the low-acid canned food (LACF) class based on pH and water activity, FCE registration and an SID process filing are also required. Because moisture is high, the guaranteed analysis is stated on an “as fed” basis; dry matter comparisons are not put on the label.
Freeze-dried treats and meats
Single-ingredient products (beef liver, chicken breast) naturally meet the 95 percent rule, so the name can stay short. The “human-grade” claim, however, can only be used if the product meets human food standards and was made in a facility operating to that standard; if this cannot be documented, it is not used.
Chew products (chews)
For hide, pizzle and tripe-based products, the nutritional adequacy statement is “intermittent or supplemental”; a choking and breakage warning (under the feeding directions) is established practice on U.S. shelves. We also cover this group in our article on natural dog chews for the U.S. market.
Fish-based products
The fish is listed on the label by its AAFCO-defined name (“fish meal”, “salmon”); if a species is named, that species must be in the formula. Some buyers may ask for catch area and processing documents, but this is a supply file matter, not a label matter.
Common Label Mistakes
- Treating AAFCO as optional: It is not federal, but it is binding at the state level; a non-compliant label can cause problems both on Amazon and at retail.
- An incorrect “complete and balanced” claim: Using this claim on a treat, or stating it without a nutrient profile or feeding trial basis, invalidates the label.
- Running formulation and labeling separately: If the ingredient percentage rules tied to the product name are not set together with the recipe, the packaging ends up changing after printing.
- Writing “FDA approved” or “AAFCO approved”: Neither organization approves products; these phrases are considered misleading claims.
- Non-English leftovers: The entire label must be in English; ingredient names in another language, or net weight stated only in grams, are not accepted.
Label Photos for Amazon and Retail
Pet food is a gated category on Amazon, and the part of the approval file that is most often sent back is the label photo: Amazon asks for the actual label on the package, with every required element legible. A label prepared in AAFCO format usually clears this step in one pass. The full category approval process is in our article on selling pet food on Amazon US.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there such a thing as AAFCO approval?
The phrase “AAFCO approved” is technically incorrect; AAFCO does not approve products, it publishes model regulations and standards. State control officials inspect labels against these standards.
Are cat food and dog food subject to the same label rules?
The core elements are the same; however, AAFCO nutrient profiles, the target animal statement and claim language differ by species. The label is built per species.
Can I use the term “human-grade” on freeze-dried treats?
The product must be made in a facility suitable for human consumption, to human food standards, and this must be documented. If it cannot be documented, the term is not used.
Can the label be in a language other than English?
No. The entire label must be in English and must include the required elements in AAFCO and FDA format.
What is the difference between “Chicken Dinner” and “with Chicken”?
“Dinner” requires at least 25 percent chicken, “with” at least 3 percent. The name is chosen based on which threshold the formula meets.
Conclusion
Pet food labeling is a specialized field in the U.S., because the body that writes the rules and the body that enforces them are different, and the label depends on the recipe. When the product name, guaranteed analysis and nutritional adequacy statement are finalized together with the formulation, the packaging is printed once and Amazon approval is more likely to pass on the first file. For permits and registration, see our guide Exporting pet food to the U.S.: USDA VS Permit and FDA registration, and for supplement products other than food, see our article on exporting pet supplements to the U.S..
We handle label review and AAFCO compliance checks for pet food exports to the U.S.; you can reach us through our FDA registration and certification page.
Last updated: September 22, 2026. After the APHIS and customs sections moved to the main guide, this article was narrowed to AAFCO labeling and formulation.
