WAC 16-252-100   "Directions for use" and "precautionary statement" requirements.  (1) Directions for use and precautionary statements on required labeling of all pet food and specialty pet foods containing additives (including, but not limited to, drugs, nonprotein nitrogen, special purpose additives, or nonnutritive additives) must:

     (a) Be adequate to enable users with no special knowledge of the purpose and use of the feed to use it safely and effectively for its intended purposes; and

     (b) Include all information described by all applicable regulations of 21 CFR, Parts 500-599 under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Note:

The Food and Drug Administration's regulations are published in the Code of Federal Regulations, and are available in book format from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. They are also available on the internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/retrieve.html. A copy of 21 CFR Parts 500-599 are also on file with the department.

     (2) Adequate directions for use and precautionary statements identified in subsection (1) of this section are required for pet food and specialty pet food that is distributed to:

     (a) Supply particular dietary needs; or

     (b) Supplement or fortify the usual diet or ration with any vitamin, mineral, or other dietary nutrient or compound.

     (3)(a) When a pet food or specialty pet food is intended for use by or under the supervision of a veterinarian, the statement "use only as directed by your veterinarian" must be on the label. When such a statement is on a pet food label, feeding instructions are not required, but may appear on the label. This regulation takes precedence over other regulations in this subsection.

     (b) Pet food, including snacks or treats, labeled as "complete and balanced" for any or all life stages, must list feeding directions on the label. Any pet food labeled as "snacks" or "treats" that contains a drug, must list feeding directions on the label. These directions must:

     (i) Be expressed in common terms;

     (ii) Appear prominently on the label;

     (iii) State the frequency of feeding; and

     (iv) At a minimum state, "feed (weight or other measure of product) per (weight only) of dog (or cat)."

     (c) Directions must be consistent with the intended use(s) indicated in the nutritional adequacy statement, unless a limited use or more limited life stage designation is declared elsewhere (for example, "adult formula").

     (d) Directions must be given for each life stage stated on the label.

     (4)(a) Pet food and specialty pet food snacks and treats do not require feeding directions on the label except when they:

     (i) Are labeled as "complete and balanced"; or

     (ii) Contain a drug.

     (b) Feeding directions may be on the label for snacks and treats even when not required.

     (5) Pet food and specialty pet food labels must contain the statement "This product is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only," if the product does not meet the nutrient requirements of the appropriate AAFCO recognized nutrient profile, feeding protocol, or any other special nutritional or dietary need, thus making it suitable only for limited, intermittent, or supplementary feeding.



[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.53 and 34.05 RCW. 05-18-093, § 16-252-100, filed 9/7/05, effective 10/8/05; 03-23-129, § 16-252-100, filed 11/19/03, effective 7/1/04.]