AAFCO to Host Labeling Workshop at Petfood Forum

Special training for pet food and specialty petfood labeling requirements to be held May 1 in Kansas City, Mo.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is hosting a one-day workshop about pet food and specialty pet food labeling on May 1, in conjunction with Petfood Forum 2025 in Kansas City, Mo.

Designed for pet food manufacturers, the Pet Food Labeling Workshop will cover all aspects of labeling, including:

Ingredient definitions and terms, label formats and labeling, brand and product names
Intended purpose and nutritional adequacy claims
Nutrition facts boxes, ingredient statements and feeding directions
Drug and pet food additives
Determination of calorie content for dog and cat foods
Descriptive terms, handling and storage instructions
Tricky ingredient issues and product claims (general claims)

In 2023, AAFCO rolled out its new Model Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food Regulations to provide more consistency and transparency around packaging and labels. The new suggested labeling guidelines include standardized nutrition information, clear ingredient statements, and storage and handling instructions. While most states are utilizing enforcement discretion, manufacturers are encouraged to begin incorporating the new changes into their packaging and labels so consumers can more easily understand and make informed buying decisions.

“With many changes in pet food labeling in recent years, we want to ensure that new and veteran members of the industry are up to date on the requirements to ensure we’re all doing our part to maintain a safe food supply for our pets,” said Austin Therrell, executive director of AAFCO.

The workshop will be presented by industry and regulatory experts, including:

Bill Bookout, President and Chairman, National Animal Supplement Council
Melissa Brookshire, DVM, Founder, North River Enterprises
Kelsi Brown, Agriculture Advisor and Pet Food Label Specialist, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Dawne Erickson, KLN Family Brands
George Ferguson, Founder, AFC Regulatory Services
Tiffany Leschishin, Animal Feed / Pet Food Regulatory Consultant, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Katie Simpson, Pet Food Specialist, Office of the Indiana State Chemist
Richard Ten Eyck, Feed Safety Specialist

For more information about AAFCO’s Pet Food Labeling Workshop and to register, click here.

About AAFCO

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has been guiding state, federal and international feed regulators with ingredient definitions, label standards and laboratory standards for more than 115 years, while supporting the health and safety of people and animals. Its members are charged by their state or federal laws to regulate the manufacture, sale and distribution of animal feeds and feed ingredients.