In Colorado, dog bakeries are inspected and regulated to ensure safe products are sold to consumers.
Starting your own dog bakery in Colorado requires you to adhere to various regulations and requirements prescribed by the Colorado Department of Agriculture Inspections & Consumer Services Division. Additionally, it is highly recommended that you be familiar with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and especially with their official publication that lays out general requirements of a pet food business and their Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food Labeling Guide.
ICS Regulations
The Colorado Department of Agriculture's Division of Inspections & Consumer Services (ICS) regulates the feed for both livestock and pets, overseeing the pet food created in dog bakeries. ICS has a two-pronged approach to regulating pet food. First, the agency wants to make certain the doggie treats are safe and healthy for pets and, second, that all products are properly labeled. Inspectors routinely submit pet foods for analysis to make sure they meet the guarantees on the label.
Colorado General Requirements
Pet foods produced and sold in Colorado are required to be registered. A dog food bakery must register each of its products and pay an annual fee for each individual product produced. Additionally, you must make certain the product is labeled properly and that when inspected, the products fulfill the ingredient and nutriment promises printed on the label.
Pet Food Labeling
Colorado regulations require pet food labels to contain the product name and brand, the pet species for which the food is intended, the quantity, guaranteed analysis, ingredients, nutritional values, if necessary, feeding requirements, name and address of manufacturer and of the distributor. If you use the word "proven" on the label, it must be backed up with scientific detail and if the label says "new" or "improved," it can only be used on the label for six months. Personal endorsements are allowed so long as they are true.
Inspections
Colorado inspectors require specific documentation when they arrive. For example, they will want to see pet food registrations, labels and records of distribution. The inspector will need access to any products and their corresponding labels to send in with samples to be analyzed. If the inspector must punch a hole in a bag to extract a sample, a Colorado Department of Agriculture label will be used to cover the hole. The samples are sent to the ICS Laboratory for analysis. The inspector will conclude his inspection by preparing a multi-copy report that requires signatures. He also may review product labels and registrations.
ICS Biochemistry Lab
The ICS analyzes dog bakery products submitted by the inspector in its biochemistry laboratory using specific matrices for products. The laboratory's microbiology section also tests for any unsafe bacteria or the antibiotics.
Tags: Colorado Department, Colorado Department Agriculture, Department Agriculture, Consumer Services, Food Labeling, Inspections Consumer, Inspections Consumer Services