Manufacturers

Similar to consumers needing more transparency in knowing exactly what quality and safety is behind the fresh pet food products they are buying, the same goes for new fresh pet food brands who are seeking a manufacturing partner, so they truly understand the quality standards of the products they are paying a manufacturer to make for them.

Pet food manufacturing standards are incredibly fragmented, and the policy environment in Canada is very confusing. The FPFA exists to better educate pet food brands of what to ask of their manufacturing partners, or in assessing a potential manufacturing partner. Better yet, the FPFA provides a list of manufacturers who themselves have gone through the FPFA Approval process or for inspected human food facilities to show compliance with the highly stringent “FPFA Certified Human Grade” so a pet food brand can truthfully communicate that they have invested in making a human grade fresh pet food product.

The goal of the FPFA is to help better identify and differentiate pet food manufacturers who are investing in higher product quality, food safety and overall consumer transparency.

Our Two Standards:

  1. FPFA Certified Human Grade - is a licensed and inspected human food facility that meets all stringent requirements of the AAFCO Human Grade Standards to harmonize the term “Human Grade” across Canada and the US (also meets FPFA Approved)

  2. FPFA Approved - has met the criteria adherence standards for FPFA approval

FPFA Certified Human Grade for Canada (AAFCO Equivalency)

One of the mandates of the FPFA is to be the AAFCO equivalent for Canada as it pertains to adhering to a policy regulating the term “human grade” for pet food across Canada. We have established the “FPFA Certified Human Grade” certification program which fully applies the AAFCO Human Grade Standards across the equivalent federal human food laws in Canada. Specifically, AAFCO (being US-based) replies on important federal human food regulations referred to as the 21 CFR Part 117 Standards. The FPFA has done the detailed parallel policy/regulation equivalency for Canada leveraging the Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations, the Food Safety and Quality Act and O.Reg 31/05 for human food.

Unfortunately there are countless pet food brands that only are for sale in Canada which deceptively call themselves Human Grade when they do not meet the strict requirements (AAFCO would not permit this in the US). One deceptive area is when a pet food manufacturer claims to use “human grade ingredients” but the process in making and storing the food does not meet human grade requirements.

Human Grade Standards Requirements

Section 1 – Ingredient Documentation

  • Supplier Letters of Guarantee or statements confirming each ingredient is fit for human consumption.

  • Certificates of Analysis (COAs) or other lab reports (as applicable).

  • Purchase records/invoices showing ingredients were sourced from human food suppliers (not feed-grade).

  • Ingredient spec sheets confirming compliance with human food standards.

Section 2 – Facility Documentation

  • Copy of facility license/certification as a human food facility (Safe Food for Canadians Licence FOR PRODUCTION (not import or export) or provincial licence like OMAFA or relevant regulator).

  • For U.S. sales: proof of FDA registration as a human food facility and as a feed facility.

  • Most recent inspection report (OMAFRA, CFIA, or FDA if applicable).

  • Facility HACCP or Food Safety Plan (including areas/rooms dedicated to human food production).

Section 3 – Manufacturing & Handling Procedures

  • Written SOPs showing human grade status is maintained during:

    • Receiving raw materials

    • Storage

    • Processing/cooking

    • Packaging

    • Distribution & transport

  • Batch records / production logs showing compliance with 21 CFR Part 117 standards / Canadian SFCR and

  • Proof that the final product is ready-to-eat before it is designated pet food.

Section 4 – Distribution & Transportation

  • Shipping records showing the product was transported in conditions suitable for human food (e.g., clean, temperature-controlled).

  • Warehouse storage records confirming compliance with human food handling standards.

Section 5 – Labeling Compliance

  • Final product labels showing:

    • Clear intended use (e.g., Human Grade Dog Food).

    • “Human grade” not used in the ingredient list.

    • Term “human grade” and intended use presented with equal prominence.

  • Copies of marketing materials (website, brochures, point-of-sale) showing correct use of “human grade.”

  • For state registration: label approval documents from feed control officials (where required).

Section 6 – Traceability & Record keeping

  • Lot coding and traceability records for each batch.

  • Ability to trace each finished product back to its human edible ingredients and suppliers.

  • Records retention policy (generally 2 years minimum).