Section 16-252-012 - Label format and labeling(1) Pet food and specialty pet food shall be labeled with the following information: (a) Product name and brand name, if any, on the principal display panel as specified in WAC 16-252-024;(b) A statement specifying the species name of pet or specialty pet for which the food is intended, conspicuously designated on the principal display panel;(c) Quantity statement, as defined in WAC 16-252-008, by weight (pounds and ounces, and metric), liquid measure (quarts, pints and fluid ounces, and metric) or by count, on the principal display panel;(d) Guaranteed analysis as specified in WAC 16-252-036;(e) Ingredient statement as specified in WAC 16-252-064;(f) A statement of nutritional adequacy or purpose if required under WAC 16-252-044;(g) Feeding directions if required under WAC 16-252-106; and(h) Name and address of the manufacturer or distributor as specified in WAC 16-252-122.(2) When a pet food or specialty pet food enclosed in an outer container or wrapper is intended for retail sale, all required label information shall appear on the outer container or wrapper.(3) A vignette, graphic, or pictorial representation on a pet food or specialty pet food label shall not misrepresent the contents of the package.(4) The use of the word "proven" in connection with a label claim for a pet food or specialty pet food is not permitted unless the claim is substantiated by scientific or other empirical evidence.(5) No statement shall appear upon the label or labeling of a pet food or specialty pet food which makes false or misleading comparisons between that product and any other product. (a) Statements referring to a competitive product or comparing the properties of a packaged food to those of a competitive product must not appear on a label unless the competitive product is specifically identified.(b) Negative statements regarding a competitive product must not appear on a label unless the director determines that the information provided by the statements is beneficial to the product's purchaser.(6) A personal or commercial endorsement is permitted on a pet food or specialty pet food label provided the endorsement is not false or misleading.(7) A statement on a pet food or specialty pet food label stating "Improved," "New," or similar designation shall be substantiated and limited to six months production.(8) A statement on a pet food or specialty pet food label stating preference or comparative attribute claims shall be substantiated and limited to one year production, after which the claim shall be removed or resubstantiated.(9)(a) Raw milk distributed as a commercial feed shall comply with the provisions under chapters 15.36 and 15.37 RCW. The label shall display the following statements: "WARNING: NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION - THIS PRODUCT HAS NOT BEEN PASTEURIZED AND MAY CONTAIN HARMFUL BACTERIA." and "DECHARACTERIZED WITH HARMLESS FOOD COLORING."
(b) The label type size must meet the following: (i) The name and address of the producer or distributor in letters not less than one-fourth inch in size;(ii) The name of the contents in letters not less than one-fourth inch in size;(iii) The words "WARNING: NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION - THIS PRODUCT HAS NOT BEEN PASTEURIZED AND MAY CONTAIN HARMFUL BACTERIA." in letters at least one-half inch in size; and(iv) The words "DECHARACTERIZED WITH HARMLESS FOOD COLORING." in letters not less than one-fourth inch in size.(10) All pet food and specialty pet food must be labeled with a lot identifier sufficient to allow the manufacturer to accurately trace the complete manufacturing and distribution history of the product, but the lot identified may be separate from the label information required under this section.(11) Labels must state all required label information in English. Pet food and specialty pet food may be additionally labeled in other languages if the other language labels provide the same information as the English version of the label.(12) The term "organic" may not appear on labels or shipping documents of any pet food or specialty pet food unless the food was produced under conditions that comply with the National Organic Standard for the production and handling of organic crops, livestock and processed food products. The National Organic Standard may be obtained from the department, or on the internet at http://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic.(13) When screenings are added to unmixed by-product pet food or specialty pet food, the term "screenings" must appear on the label:(a) In the same size of type as the brand name; and(b) Either as part of or immediately below the brand name.(14) Distressed or salvage pet food or specialty pet food that contains, or may contain, prohibited mammalian protein must be labeled with the bovine spongiform encephalopathy precautionary statement "Do not feed to cattle or other ruminants."Wash. Admin. Code § 16-252-012
Adopted by WSR 18-21-191, Filed 10/24/2018, effective 11/24/2018