What does human grade mean on dog food?

“Human grade” is a big claim on a dog food bag. It sounds like the food is good enough for you to eat. The rules behind it are more narrow than that. For the big picture on labels, see the guide on how to read a dog food label.

What does human grade mean on dog food?

Human grade means the whole food meets the rules for people food. Each ingredient has to meet them. So does the end food. Each step counts: how it is made, kept, packed and shipped. If one step falls short, the bag can’t say human grade. The words are about the whole food, not one part.

These rules come from AAFCO, a group of US feed officials who write model rules for pet food. AAFCO says the term can only be used for the whole food. Each ingredient and the end food must be kept, made and shipped under the US rules for people food.

The main rule it names is 21 CFR part 117, the US rule for how people food is made. It is meant to keep food safe. The food must also be ready to eat. The US food rule says that means it can be eaten with no more steps to kill germs.

The plant matters too. A plant that packs a ready to eat human grade food must sign up with the FDA as a pet food plant and a people food plant. It must also hold a license to make people food.

What about a bag that says “human grade ingredients”? AAFCO says that claim is only allowed if the whole food is human grade.

Who checks if dog food is human grade?

A maker must deal with each state where it sells. AAFCO asks makers to get a check from the USDA, the US farm agency. A USDA worker looks at the maker’s records and steps. The check is done once a year. Some states will not take the claim without it.

AAFCO’s question and answer sheet says the USDA is the only outside group that AAFCO and its states accept for this check. It warns about private groups that say they can do it too. The same sheet says the USDA check happens each year, so the claim is good for one year.

A maker can also go to each state on its own. AAFCO notes that some states may no longer take that route. They want the USDA check first.

The maker must keep proof on hand. The rules say it must show that each part was fit for people to eat when it came in. It must also keep written steps so the food stays human grade on its way to the store.

Is human grade dog food better?

The claim is about how the food is made and kept. It does not say what is in the food or how much. The rules set no food value levels. So human grade does not mean a food has all your dog needs. For that, look for a line that says complete and balanced.

AAFCO calls human grade a “marketing term” with its own set of rules. Those rules cover the plant, the parts, the records and the label. The human grade rules do not list any nutrients.

Complete and balanced is a different test. The FDA says a food with those words is meant to be your dog’s only food. To earn them, it must meet the AAFCO nutrient levels or pass a feeding test. A human grade food may or may not have that line. Read the full guide to what complete and balanced means.

A study of these foods says human grade pet foods “have not been well studied.” You can read what a few small studies found, and who paid for them, in fresh dog food vs kibble. If your dog has a health problem, your vet can help you pick a food.

Can kibble be human grade?

Yes, if it meets the same rules. The form of the food does not matter. Kibble, treats, toppers, broths, raw food and freeze dried food all follow one set of rules. The food must be ready to eat. It must be made and kept under the rules for people food.

AAFCO’s sheet lists treats, toppers, raw food, broths and freeze dried food. It says they must all meet the same rules. It adds that the same rules apply “regardless of the delivery form.” Kibble is just one more form.

Vitamins and minerals can go in too. AAFCO says lab-made ones are fine if they are approved and are fit for people food.

How do you spot a real human grade claim on a label?

Look at how the words are used. A true claim names the pet, as in “human grade dog food.” The words can’t be bigger than the words that say who the food is for. They also can’t show up in the ingredient list. A claim that breaks these rules is worth a second look.

AAFCO’s rules say each use of “human grade” must come with what the food is for. They give “human grade dog food” as an example. The rules also say no words about quality or grade may go in the ingredient list. The rules on naming the pet and on word size also hold on websites and store signs.

Other nice words on a bag have their own rules. See natural flavor in dog food for how “natural” works. Some labels list by-products, the parts of an animal left after the cuts people eat. See the by-products guide.

Next time you see human grade on a bag, you know what it does and does not tell you. You can scan the label with Altie to see each ingredient in plain words.