More legislation to expect? Also for plastic materials?

By John Adams 

jaadams@msn.com

The EU's change to a more centralized entity has resulted in a move from country specific legislation to an all embracing EU Directive/Regulation. Further harmonization of legislation continues apace especially as the EU indifferences are sill allowed e.g. in pet food labeling. Although harmonization promotes the movement of trade, it also brings its own problems especially In the translation of specific words as demonstrated in the recent definition of palatants. These difficulties have occurred because definitions do not always have global meaning especially in the use of modern phrases. A typical example occurred in Japan where the definition of functional foods has one meaning, whereas America and Europe have both different definitions for the same term.

The drive for harmonization and simplicity has also been adopted by large purchasing bodies (retail consortiums), which again brings its own issues. These issues manifest themselves as large purchasing bodies have their own requirements, which mean manufacturers have to meet legislative as well as their customers' requirements. The pet food industry is relatively small compared to the food industry however, the pet and food industry use similar processing technology. Therefore, auditors for these large purchasing bodies will probably assess both food and pet producers on similar premises and thus expect pet producers to follow the same requirements as those imposed upon food manufacturers.

The following food industry rules/regulations are either for imminent implementation or are in the discussion stage:

•The food Supplements Directive, which has caused considerable debate because many people consume food supplements for their health benefits. However, the majority of the public are unconcerned about the lack of true scientific evidence into the health benefits of these products. Whilst the legislators want true evidence the public just wants to feel better!

•Regulations on Health Claims which will reduce spurious claims portrayed on some product label, this will have a major impact as it is likely that claims such as supports the **** are under scrutiny.

•An all encompassing EU food safety control scheme

•GM labeling

•Organic labeling

•Allergen labeling (12 allergens are identified and if any allergen from the list is in the product it will have to be included on the label).

•Plastic materials and other articles which are likely to come into contact with food; this piece of legislation brings together varying EU rules on food contact plastics into one document with new amendments.

•Regulating recycled plastic that come into contact with food; this is aimed at manufacturers who reprocess plastic that may find itself in contact with food.

•Irradiated food

•Food hygiene

Some pet food manufacturers may think some of these regulations are a long way off before becoming applicable to their products. However, I believe that the public will expect products from pet food companies to be equivalent to products from food producers and therefore standards will become uniform over both industries.

Further public consultations are ongoing due to the EU recommendation for the adoption of European standard testing for potentially harmful chemicals in products such as detergents and shampoo. Most of these chemicals have been previously tested on animals and found safe, but new legislation means a change in the test format with the consequent re-testing. At present, some product ingredients rather than the finished product are tested on animals so that companies are able to claim their products are not tested on animals. Although this legislation doesn't specifically apply to the pet food industry it will heighten public awareness of animal testing and may result into more enquiries in to company practices.

Therefore, is it possible for the pet food industry to stand outside the requirements of the food market or will it be forced to follow?

PETS International Magazine ISSUE 4,2004