Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food FAQs

Washington State has adopted provisions identified in Chapter 16-250 and 16-252 WAC in the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) 2018 Official Publication (OP) [currently in process to adopt to the 2024 OP], which include Official Feed Terms and Definitions and various guarantee requirements. All other provisions that Washington may or may not implement are done through enforcement discretion. One such policy that has historically been implemented under enforcement discretion includes: AAFCO OP Chapter 5, Statement of Uniform Interpretation and Policy (SUIP) 27 [SUIP 7 in 2024 OP]. 
 
Now, Washington State intends to require registration and labeling requirements of these products. The change is because there are known, or reasonably foreseeable, hazards associated with products that are minimally processed (e.g., , uncooked, raw, and/or dehydrated) when a hazard is not effectively controlled. This policy supports a proactive approach to protecting humans and animals from products that may contain hazards with no or limited preventive control that could lead to illness or death.  
 
Beginning July 1, 2024, all treats in the category of chews, skins, bones, and other products intended for chewing or consumption by pets and/or specialty pets are required to be registered with the Animal Feed Program if they are minimally processed (e.g., uncooked, raw, and/or dehydrated).

These products are pet food and specialty pet food and must follow registration of Chapter 15.53 RCW and Chapter 16-252 WAC.

Products in this category that are fully cooked or processed in a manner to control all known or reasonably foreseeable hazards and prevent recontamination (e.g., effectively irradiated, in sealed packaging, etc.) will remain exempt from registration if they provide acceptable substantiation.

If you are manufacturing a pet food or specialty pet food or putting your name on the label, you need to register your product.

Examples:

I make a dog treat out of my home and I sell them at the Farmers Market in 4 ounce packages:

You are required to register each product you sell.

You are required to register your product.  

I own a butcher shop, all the scraps of meat I grind and sell as pet food:

You are required to register your product.

I sell smoked pigs ears:

Yes, you are required to register your product. 

• Pet food is for dogs and cats.
• Specialty pet food is food for domestically animals normally maintained in a cage or tank such as gerbils, hamsters, canaries or finches, tropical fish, snakes and turtles.

Applying for a pet food or specialty pet food registration for the first time is easy if you follow this simple process:

1.  Open Form 4307A - Application for New Product Registration of Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food.
   1. Complete all three (3) company sections of the form: Applicant, Guarantor, and Manufacturer.
      • Be sure to provide the name, title and direct contact information for the person(s) who will be the point of contact for any questions relating to the product(s) being registered.
      • Note: if the 'Guarantor' section is in any way different than the 'Applicant' section, this needs to be completed. This applies to the 'Manufacturer' section as well.
   2. Determine what size products you are distributing and enter the number of products on the appropriate line.
      • If your product is sold in both large packages (10 lbs or more) AND small packages (less than 10 lbs) you only need to pay the small package fee.
      • Please indicate the different sizes on the New Product List ( i.e. Jones Chicken Dog Food Dry 3#, 8#, and 15#). All labels must be identical except for weight to be considered the same product in different sizes.
   3. Sign and date your form.
2. A copy of all labels must be submitted electronically. Labels should be in a legible printer-ready PDF format. Submissions can be made via email attachment (20 MB or less) or via a drop box link to petfood@agr.wa.gov or on a CD or USB drive mailed with your application.
3. Attach a check or money order made out to the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
4. Mail to:

Registrations are processed in the order in which they are received. The typical "error-free" application is normally processed within 60 days, however your application could take longer depending on the current workload. Processing your registration may also take longer if it is incomplete or contains a large number of labels to review. You may receive a Notice of Incomplete Application or Notice of Correction for any of the following reasons:

• The registration is received without the appropriate fees.
• Fees are received without an application.
• Portions of the application are left blank , or incorrect.
• Label(s) are missing or illegible.
• The label(s) are found to be out of compliance with applicable regulations.

You cannot distribute your product until you receive your Product Registration Certificate. If your product is found in distribution without a registration your products may be subject to stop sale action.

• A renewal application will be mailed to all registrants by June 1st. A complete renewal packet and appropriate fee(s) must be received by July 1st. If your application is not received by July 1st you must pay a late renewal fee.
  • It is your responsibility to renew on time. Registrants who have not received their application by June 15th should immediately contact WSDA at (360) 902-1844 or send an email to petfood@agr.wa.gov
• The renewal application is pre-printed with your company number and company information as previously submitted to WSDA. If any of the information has changed since the previous registration was issued, indicate the changes on the form so our records may be updated.
• Changes can be made directly on the application by crossing out the incorrect information and writing in the correct information.
• If you are not going to renew your registration, please send a letter or email stating you are canceling your registration. In the letter provide your company number and company name.
  • To withdraw an individual product, that product must be completely out of the channels of distribution. We suggest waiting 2 years after discontinuing a product before withdrawing it to ensure that it is completely off the market. If it is found in distribution without being registered it may be subject to stop sale action.
  • To cancel an entire registration, ALL products must be completely removed from the market.

• If you are found distributing a product without a registration, you may be subject to stop sale action. In addition, you will be required to apply for registration immediately. You will also be required to report the amount of feed distributed for the last three years and pay all appropriate fees (including late fees).
• If you refuse to obtain a product registration, WSDA has the authority to issue a stop sale for your products. Violating Washington State Commercial Feed Law is a misdemeanor.

• If you are distributing a dog treat with all the same ingredients other than one treat is peanut butter flavor and another treat is beef flavored, these are considered two separate products.
• If you are distributing one product, but you package them with two different labels (e.g. changes in graphics, species, brand/product name, claims, etc), these are considered two separate products.However, if the only difference is the weight of the product, this is one product.

• If you make minor graphics changes (color, pictures, logos, etc.), or changes to the Quantity Statement, this is considered revised label and the same product.
  • We must have a copy of the most revised version of each of your labels on file.
  • When submitting revised labels to us, please include the registration number, product number, and date revised on the label.
• If you make changes to any other information on the label, then they are considered to be new products and labels will be required to be registered.
  • New products must be submitted for registration with Form 4307A.
• If you have a new label and both the old and new labels are in the channels of trade, you are required to maintain a registration for both until the old label is out of distribution.