Manufacturing of pet food

A lot has changed since the beginning of the manufacture of pet fod in the UK.

Commercial production in the UK began in the 1930s when the Chappel Brothers began canning a meat and cereal food for dogs. The broadening knowledge about pet animal nutrition and food technology enabled the industry to develop and diversify in leaps and bounds.

The industry is highly regulated (see legislation) and follows a number of industry codes and guidance to help manufacturers fullfill their obligations to manufacture safe pet food.

Since 2005 the EU Feed Hygiene Regulation ensures that feed safety is considered at all stages of the production for pet food. The rules laid down in the regulation were already covered in a number of pieces of legislation. This new regulation summarises the requirements for hygiene, HACCP, facilities, storage, personnel and record-keeping.

In 2007 the EU Commission formally recognised the Fediaf (*) Guide to Good Practice for the Manufacture of Safe Pet Foods.

The development of these Community guides to good practice is encouraged by the Feed Hygiene Regulation and they should ensure compliance with the hygiene and HACCP requirements of that Regulation.