ATPF’s Position Statement on Low Copper Pet Foods – Truth about Pet Food

August 9, 2023 Kar-Bay-Inc

At the most recent AAFCO meeting, industry strongly objected to a proposal to allow pet foods to manufacture a reduced copper content pet food. AAFCO agreed to table the discussion only until the next meeting in January 2024.

Due to the strong objection by industry (possibly influencing AAFCO), we sent the following position statement to AAFCO’s Pet Food Committee on 8/8/23.

Association for Truth in Pet Food believes there is a significant need for dog and cat foods that include a voluntary copper maximum guarantee, labeled as Low Copper.

There has been a rise in cases of copper storage disease, being noticed by both the pet owning public and practicing veterinarians. Along with these increases of sick pets, pet owners and veterinarians have learned AAFCO has not established a required maximum for copper. These stakeholders of pet food often find it difficult, if not impossible, to obtain the actual copper level in their pet’s food (or recommended brand) as many manufacturers refuse to disclose this information.

We believe that the descriptive term ‘Low Copper’ aligns with other allowed label terms; Low Calorie, Low Fat. However, we note that current AAFCO regulations do not allow a ‘Low Carbohydrate’ claim, instead allowing a ‘Less or Reduced’ carbohydrate claim. Should AAFCO determine that a ‘Reduced Copper’ label claim is more appropriate, we would not object to this term.

We are aware that AFIA and PFI argued against this descriptive term being allowed on any pet food, part of their reasoning was some consumers might assume the ‘Low Copper’ or ‘Reduced Copper’ label claim has therapeutic levels of copper (such as below AAFCO minimum). In order to better inform pet owners and veterinarians, we suggest the Guaranteed Analysis statement of copper minimum and maximum include an asterisk that notes ‘This pet food does not include therapeutic levels of copper.’

We encourage the AAFCO Pet Food Committee to approve the voluntary descriptive term ‘Low Copper’ or ‘Reduced Copper’ no later than the January 2024 meeting.

We encourage any pet owner that wishes to have an option for lower copper level (guaranteed) pet foods, please send AAFCO a message. Pet owners can message AAFCO here: https://www.aafco.org/contact/.

Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,

Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food

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