In September 2007, after the 2007 pet food recall – the deadliest pet food recall in history – Congress wrote laws meant to prevent another disaster.
The laws Congress gave us – “Ensuring the Safety of Pet Food” required FDA to establish (1) pet food ingredient standards, (2) establish pet food processing standards, and (3) update pet food labeling to include “nutritional and ingredient information.” Congress required FDA to complete these pet food safety requirements within 2 years (by September 2009).
The original laws from 2007, Click Here.
The updated laws from 2018 (details on update below), Click Here.
But #1…
The FDA completed the pet food processing standards (item #2) – developed within the Food Safety Modernization Act – in September 2015. This part was completed six years past the deadline Congress gave them.
But #2…
Year after year FDA never completed Congress’s requirement of establishing pet food ingredient standards (item #1). Finally in 2018, something happened on this issue (but not something good). Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky introduced an addendum to an unrelated bill that completely deleted the requirement of pet food ingredient standards. We learned through Freedom of Information Act documents acquired by Kohl Harrington (Pet Fooled), that FDA, AFIA (pet food industry trade association), and multiple members of AAFCO all worked on this addendum submitted to Senator Paul that deleted our promised pet food ingredient standards.
And but #3…
The third part of Ensuring the Safety of Pet Food required FDA to update pet food labeling. Seventeen years AFTER Congress required the work to be completed we still wait for label updates. (Congress established a September 2009 deadline for completion.) To current day, FDA has NOT updated pet food labels.
For 17 years, FDA has ignored the deadline established by Congress.
For 17 years, Congress has done nothing to follow up with FDA to provide pet owners what was promised in 2007.
The last public update – provided on the US government website Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs – was in 2017.
Note under the section “Action” it states “Next Action Undetermined”. In other words, pet food label updates that would benefit pet food consumers sits in FDA limbo.
AAFCO has worked on updated pet food labeling – Pet Food Label Modernization – BUT the updates are not to be implemented until 2030 (21 years past the deadline Congress established). AAFCO’s updates are not affiliated with what was required by Congress of FDA (federal law pet food label updates), AAFCO pet food label updates would be state law. That is…if they are ever implemented (there are numerous rumors we have heard that individual states are refusing to implement the updates).
A week ago (June 17, 2026), we sent FDA the following email:
“21 USC 2102: Ensuring the safety of pet food, (a) (2) states:
Not later than 2 years after September 27, 2007, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this chapter as the “Secretary”), in consultation with the Association of American Feed Control Officials and other relevant stakeholder groups, including veterinary medical associations, animal health organizations, and pet food manufacturers, shall by regulation establish- (2) updated standards for the labeling of pet food that include nutritional and ingredient information.”
“Can you provide details to what FDA has done regarding this? What ‘updated standards for the labeling of pet food’ has FDA completed to current day?”
The FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine has not responded to our questions.
(We know the answer, we just wanted the FDA to admit it.)
We encourage all pet owners to write their Representatives in Congress. Example letter below.
After the 2007 pet food recall, Congress passed Ensuring the Safety of Pet Food which in part required FDA to establish “updated standards for the labeling of pet food that include nutritional and ingredient information.” Congress established the deadline for pet food label updates as “Not later than 2 years after September 27, 2007.” But, almost 17 years past the deadline Congress established, FDA has NOT COMPLETED this pet food safety requirement.
On my behalf, and for the millions of pet owners in our state – please follow up with FDA asking them why they have ignored the requirements of 21 USC 2102: Ensuring the safety of pet food. I would like to be provided with a copy of their response to you.
On my behalf, and for the millions of pet owners in our state, I ask you to demand the FDA promptly establish pet food labeling updates that include nutrition and ingredient information as required by 21 USC 2102.
Thank you.
Will FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine ever establish pet food label updates “that include nutritional and ingredient information”?
It certainly doesn’t look like it.
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Consumer Advocate
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food
Find Healthy Pet Foods in Your Area Click Here
The 2026 List
Our trusted ‘list’ of pet foods. Click Here to learn more.
The 2026/27 Treat List
Susan’s List of trusted pet treat manufacturers. Click Here to learn more.
Association for Truth in Pet Food is a stakeholder organization representing pet food consumers at AAFCO and with FDA. Your membership helps representatives attend meetings and voice consumer concerns with regulatory authorities. Click Here to learn more.
