The Purina website tells pet owners: “According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials, there is no legal definition for the term ‘human-grade’. In order to label a food as a ‘human-grade dog food,’ all ingredients must be edible for humans, and the food itself must meet federal manufacturing and packaging regulations. As a result, almost no dog foods can meet these standards.”
Part true, part false.
Unlike what Purina states, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) DOES have a legal definition of human grade. AAFCO classifies “Human Grade” pet food as a feed term, defined as: “Every ingredient and the resulting product must be stored, handled, processed, and transported in a manner that is consistent and compliant with 21 CFR Part 117 and those applicable federal human food laws as required by ingredient, process, and/or facility type.”
Purina was correct in stating the legal requirements for human grade pet food. But it is NOT TRUE that “almost no dog foods can meet these standards”. This category of pet food is the fastest growing segment, more and more new human grade companies are being established each year.
Purina manufactures feed grade pet foods (which Purina does not disclose on their website). AAFCO classifies ‘Feed Grade’ as a feed term, defined as: “Material that has been determined to be safe, functional, and suitable for its intended use in animal food, is handled and labeled appropriately, and conforms to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act unless otherwise expressly permitted by the appropriate state or federal agency (suitable for use in animal feed).” It is a significant fact that the definition of feed grade includes disclosure that feed grade ingredients can be legal, or can be illegal ingredients.
Unfortunately for pet owners, the disclosure stops at the legal definition of feed grade. Feed grade pet foods that include the “expressly permitted” illegal ingredients are not disclosed to the pet food consumer. Pet food manufacturers are NOT required to disclose if their products include illegal ingredients.
One of many benefits of a pet food that states ‘human grade’ on the label gives pet owners assurances that all ingredients are food…not feed.
Can a pet food that uses 100% human edible/human grade ingredients but is manufactured in a licensed pet food facility make the human grade claim?
No. AAFCO’s standard states: “In the AAFCO defined feed term ‘human grade’, the use of the term ‘human grade’ is only acceptable in reference to the product as a whole.” As much as any company would be deserving to disclose to pet owners on their website they utilize human grade ingredients, the regulations state they cannot UNLESS the food is manufactured in a licensed human food facility. Unless the pet food meets all legal requirements of the claim, human grade (or similar claim) cannot be mentioned on the label, website, or advertising.
Can a raw pet food manufactured in a licensed human food facility under USDA inspection using 100% human grade ingredients be labeled as human grade?
No, for two reasons. One – AAFCO’s standard for the human grade claim emphasizes “ready-to-eat food”. AAFCO’s understanding of ready-to-eat food matches that of human food, which would not include a raw meat product. Two, many raw pet foods include ground bone, another issue for AAFCO in that humans do not consume bone. The AAFCO human grade standard SHOULD be updated to acknowledge a ready-to-eat pet food includes raw…but…it’s AAFCO. Maybe in 20 years.
To learn more about the legal requirements of human grade pet foods, AAFCO provides this standard: Click Here.
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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Sara A
October 9, 2025 at 1:03 pm
I saw the title of this article in my email sub and I already gave a sigh and shook my head. Maybe my peers will believe me about feeding theirs pets real food when they see that my dog twice as long as theirs.
Pouring FEED out for cows, chickens and goats makes sense. FEED for your doodle (that you spent thousands of dollars to buy and hundreds of dollars a year to groom and love spending time with!) does not make any sense at all.
Vicki Pearce
October 9, 2025 at 1:36 pm
This is why I TRUST the LIST you provide each year. Thank you so much for what you do.
Susan Thixton
October 9, 2025 at 2:31 pm
Thank you for the kind words!
T Allen
October 9, 2025 at 2:16 pm
Looks like Purina is feeling the heat from Human-grade dog food competition! Yeah! We are making progress, keep spreading the word!
Remain - Annon
October 21, 2025 at 7:17 am
I remain sceptical of your claims on this subject.
Purina also doesn’t claim it makes human-grade food on its website either.
implying its feed grade. Its PET food.
“illegal ingredients” – yes, maybe in human food – not so sure about pet food.
There are 0 studies indicating dogs or cats actually get sick from these ingredients, in fact they would be processed more to get rid of any potential diseases making it even more expensive to use.
There is currently 0 evidence that this is the culprit.
Where do you think they are getting all this ‘diseased’ meat from?
You appear to me to be more of a conspiracy theorist, Who was booted from a certain organisation/facility for abuse towards another staff member..
Susan Thixton
October 21, 2025 at 8:03 am
The Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act defines food as: “(f) The term “food” means (1) articles used for food or drink for man or other animals, (2) chewing gum, and (3) articles used for components of any such article.” Source: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title21-section321&num=0&edition=prelim
FDA response to a Citizen Petition stated: ““We do not believe that the use of diseased animals or animals that died otherwise than by slaughter to make animal food poses a safety concern and we intend to continue to exercise enforcement discretion.”
Source: https://www.regulations.gov/document/FDA-2016-P-3578-0006
I agree Purina does not claim it makes human grade pet food, but it does not disclose it is feed grade either.
There are also zero studies that indicate it is safe for pets to consume diseased animals and animals that died other than by slaughter. These ingredients are a clear violation of federal law in any food, including pet food. To include them in a pet food without disclosure to the consumer buying the pet food is criminal.
Conspiracy theorist? Absolutely not. These are facts.