Authority: IC 15-19-7-34 IC 15-19-7-34.5

Affected: IC 15-19-7-26; IC 15-19-7-28

Sec. 4. (a) The guaranteed analysis shall be listed in the following order and format unless otherwise specified in this rule:

1. (1) A pet food or specialty pet food label shall list the following required guarantees:

   1. (A) Minimum percentage of crude protein.
   2. (B) Minimum percentage of crude fat.
   3. (C) Maximum percentage of crude fat, if required by section 10 of this rule.
   4. (D) Maximum percentage of crude fiber.
   5. (E) Maximum percentage of moisture.
   6. (F) Additional guarantees shall follow moisture.
2. (2) When ash is listed in the guaranteed analysis on a pet food or specialty pet food label, it shall be guaranteed as a maximum percentage and shall immediately follow moisture.
3. (3) A dog or cat food label shall list other required or voluntary guarantees in the same order and units of the nutrients in the AAFCO dog (or cat) food nutrient profiles. Guarantees for substances not listed in the AAFCO dog (or cat) food nutrient profiles, or not otherwise provided for in this rule, shall immediately follow the listing of the recognized nutrients and shall be accompanied by an asterisk referring to the disclaimer "Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO dog (or cat) food nutrient profiles.". The disclaimer shall appear immediately after the last such guarantee in the same size type as the guarantees.
4. (4) A specialty pet food label shall list other required or voluntary guarantees as required by 355 IAC 6-1-3-4(J) [355 IAC 6-1-3(a)(4)(J)].

(b) The sliding scale method of expressing a guaranteed analysis on a pet food or specialty pet food label (for example, "Minimum crude protein 15-18%") is prohibited.

(c) The label of a pet food or a specialty pet food that is formulated as and represented to be a mineral supplement shall include minimum guarantees for all minerals from sources declared in the ingredient statement:

1. (1) established by an AAFCO-recognized nutrient profile, expressed as the element in units specified in the nutrient profile; or
2. (2) expressed as the element in units specified in 355 IAC 6-1-3-4(b) [355 IAC 6-1-4(b)] when no species-specific nutrient profile has been recognized by AAFCO;

and provided that mineral guarantees required by subdivisions (1) and (2) may be expressed in milligrams per unit, for example, tablets, capsules, granules, or liquids, consistent with those employed in the quantity statement and directions for use, and a weight equivalent, for example, one (1) fluid ounce equals twenty-eight (28) grams, for liquid products.

(d) The label of a pet food or a specialty pet food that is formulated as and represented to be a vitamin supplement shall include minimum guarantees for all vitamins from sources declared in the ingredient statement:

1. (1) established by an AAFCO-recognized nutrient profile, expressed in units specified in the nutrient profile; or
2. (2) expressed in units specified in 355 IAC 6-1-3-4(c) [355 IAC 6-1-4(c)] when no species-specific nutrient profile has been recognized by AAFCO;

and provided that vitamin guarantees required by this subsection may be expressed in approved units, for example, IU, mg, g, per unit, for example, tablets, capsules, granules, or liquids, consistent with those employed in the quantity statement and directions for use, and a weight equivalent, for example, one (1) fluid ounce equals twenty-eight (28) grams, for liquid products.

(e) When the label of a pet food or specialty pet food includes a comparison of the nutrient content of the food with levels established by an AAFCO-recognized nutrient profile, such as a table of comparison, a percentage, or any other designation referring to an individual nutrient or all of the nutrient levels, the following apply:

1. (1) The product shall meet the AAFCO-recognized nutrient profile.
2. (2) The statement of comparison shall be preceded by a statement that the product meets the AAFCO-recognized profile; however, the statement that the product meets the AAFCO-recognized nutrient profile is not required provided that the nutritional adequacy statement as per section 7(a)(1) or 7(b)(2)(A) of this rule appears elsewhere on the product label.
3. (3) The statement of comparison of the nutrient content shall constitute a guarantee, but need not be repeated in the guaranteed analysis.
4. (4) The statement of comparison may appear on the label separate and apart from the guaranteed analysis.

(f) The maximum moisture declared on a pet food or specialty pet food label shall not exceed seventy-eight percent (78.00%) or the natural moisture content of the ingredients, whichever is higher. However, pet food and specialty pet food, such as, but not limited to, those consisting principally of stew, gravy, sauce, broth, aspic, juice, or a milk replacer, and that are so labeled, may contain moisture in excess of seventy-eight percent (78.00%).

(g) Guarantees for crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber are not required when the pet food or specialty pet food is intended for purposes other than to furnish these substances or they are of minor significance relative to the primary purpose of the product, such as a mineral or vitamin supplement.

(h) Guarantees for micro-organisms and enzymes shall be stated in the format as stipulated in 355 IAC 6-1-3-4(g) and (h) [355 IAC 6-1-4(g) and 355 IAC 6-1-4(h)].

(State Chemist of the State of Indiana; 355 IAC 6-2-4; filed Apr 4, 2002, 9:26 a.m.: 25 IR 2456; readopted filed Nov 12, 2008, 11:24 a.m.: 20081203-IR-355080677RFA; readopted filed Oct 17, 2014, 9:27 a.m.: 20141112-IR-355140344RFA; readopted filed Oct 26, 2020, 10:26 a.m.: 20201125-IR-355200460RFA)