Home produced pet treats
What kinds of products need to be registered in Utah?
All brands or formulas of commercial feeds (including pet treats), feed ingredients for mixing in animal feeds, feed additive concentrates, and supplements or premixes must be registered when distributed for sale in Utah.
What constitutes separate products requiring individual registration? Are products that are the same formula but different sizes different for the purpose of registration?
“Whenever the name of a feed product is changed or there are changes in the product ingredients, a new registration shall be required. Other labeling changes shall not require registration, but the registrant shall submit copies of all changes to the Department as soon as they are effective. A reasonable time may be permitted to dispose of properly labeled stocks of the old product. Other labeling changes shall not require registration, but the registrant shall submit copies of all changes to the department as soon as they are effective.” (Feed Rules R68-2-3(4)) Example: A product that has different container sizes but the same product name and ingredients shall be considered one registration.
My business isn’t based in Utah, and I sell my products primarily or exclusively online. Do I still need to register them for sale in Utah?
Yes. Utah law does not exempt online retailers from registration. Our main focus for feed registration is consumer protection, where we watch for truth in labeling and safety concerns. In order to be effective, this has to apply to all products marketed to and sold to Utah consumers.
Why do I need to include guaranteed analysis on my product labeling?
Having verifiable label claims allows us to preserve truth in labeling to protect consumers.
I want to make and sell pet treats, what do I need to do?
The requirements for the Home Produced Pet Treat registration are different from the Commercial Feed registration.
Pet Treats and Animal Feed Registration
Animal food, including pet treats, are regulated by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. The Commercial Feed Act requires the products to be registration with the state and a label approval for all feed products sold in the states. The Department reviews each label and declared ingredients for safe and effective use for animals. Registration can be done online on our registration portal. Full information can be found in the Utah Animal Feed Law and Rule.
Home Produced Pet Treats
4-12-105.5 Labeling and registration requirements for home-produced pet treats specified.
(1) Each container of home-produced pet treats distributed in the state shall have a label specifying:
(a) the name and principal mailing address of the manufacturer or registrant;
(b) the text "Assorted Pet Treats" and the brand name, if any, under which the pet treat is distributed;
(c) the common name of each ingredient used in the pet treat, in descending order, by predominance based on weight;
(d) a quantity statement for the treat;
(e) adequate direction for the treat's safe and effective use, if necessary; and
(f) precautionary statements, if necessary.
(2) (a) A home-produced pet treat:
(i) shall be registered as an "Pet Treat"
(ii) shall include a label with the registered name;
(iii) may not be distributed outside of the state; and
(iv) is restricted to retail sales only.
(b) A registration described in Subsection
(2)(a)(i) covers all versions of a home-produced pet treat.
Commercial Animal Feed
4-12-105 (2) Except for customer-formula feed, each container of commercial feed distributed in this state shall bear a label specifying:
(a) the name and principal mailing address of the manufacturer, distributor, or registrant;
(b) the product name and brand name, if any, under which the commercial feed is distributed;
(c) the common name of each feed ingredient used in the commercial feed, stated in the manner prescribed by rule of the department, unless the department finds that a full statement of ingredients is not required to serve the interests of a consumer;
(d) the guaranteed analysis of the feed, expressed on an as-is basis:
(i) advising the user of the feed composition; or
(ii) supporting claims made in the labeling;
(e) a quantity statement for the feed;
(f) the lot number or some other means of lot identification; adequate direction for the feed's safe and effective use; and
(g) adequate direction for the feed's safe and effective use; and
(h) precautionary statements, if necessary, or any information prescribed by rule of the department considered necessary for the safe and effective use of the feed.