Packaging for pet food, including specialty treats and supplements, will adopt a closer resemblance to labels found on human food products after new labeling regulations were approved for publication.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) approved the first major update for pet food and specialty food products after nearly eight years of industry collaboration. According to the organization, the updated labels would create “standardized nutrition information, clear ingredient statements and storage and handling instructions.”

The Pet Food Model Regulations have been revised to include four labeling changes.

The nutrition facts box will be modified to resemble human nutrition labels. The nutritional details will be enclosed within a box labeled “Pet Nutrition Facts” and will clearly indicate the serving size using common measuring units.

The calorie content also will be included in the box, and the maximum total carbohydrate percentage and dietary fiber percentage will be added.

The second major change focuses on updates to the intended use statement for clarity. The statement will be positioned in the lower-third of the front display.

Additional updates will be made to the ingredient statement and the handling and storage instructions.

The ingredient statement regulations will be updated to clarify ingredients to help consumers better understand contents.

The recommended regulations also include an optional update to handling and storage instructions.

The American Feed Industry Association, the Pet Food Institute and AAFCO collaborated on the updates to improve pet food labels and utilized feedback from consumers.

“The feedback we received from both consumers and industry advisors throughout this process was an important part of our collaboration to make improvements. We sought public comment to learn more about how pet food label changes would enhance transparency and provide clearer information in a consumer-friendly format,” said Austin Therrell, executive director of AAFCO.

States will have to adopt the recommendations as regulations.