AAFCO Updated Nutritional Standards for Cat Food
New standards for feline calcium and phosphorus levels help ensure cat food meets the latest research on nutritional health.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Cats
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The Association of American Feed Control Officials has recommended that states align their enforcement of feline calcium and phosphorus profiles with the Pet Food Label Modernization (PFLM) timeline. These updated profiles apply to cat food products featuring both legacy and PFLM labels.
Why it matters
The revisions reflect the latest scientific understanding of feline nutritional requirements and health outcomes. By aligning state enforcement, officials aim to support manufacturers during the transition period without requiring costly re-registrations for reformulated products.
AAFCO membership approved the updated feline nutritional profiles in August 2026 following a 2023 expert panel review. States are urged to refrain from enforcement actions against products currently undergoing reformulation for these updated calcium and phosphorus levels.
The players
Association of American Feed Control Officials
A voluntary membership association that develops standard definitions and policies for animal feed regulation in the United States.
Pet Food Committee
An internal AAFCO body that evaluates scientific findings to recommend changes to pet food labeling and safety regulations.
The details
States are encouraged to work cooperatively with pet food manufacturers as they adjust formulas to meet the new calcium and phosphorus guidelines. This guidance prevents products from being treated as new registrations during the ongoing PFLM implementation phase. The Pet Food Committee plans to periodically review the industry's transition progress and may suggest further regulatory adjustments as needed.
Timeline
2023: Expert panel convened to review feline nutritional research.
January 2025: Panel findings were presented to the Pet Food Committee.
August 2026: AAFCO membership approved the revised nutritional profiles.
The Home Front
These updated profiles mark a shift in how pet food nutrition is enforced across the country, moving toward more modern scientific consensus. The change follows the Pet Food Label Modernization initiative and simplifies the regulatory burden for manufacturers updating their product lines.
As a pet owner, you do not need to take immediate action, as these updates are primarily focused on manufacturing and labeling compliance. Keep an eye on cat food packaging for any updated ingredient or nutritional labeling as companies transition to these new standards.
The takeaway
The move aligns pet food standards with the latest feline health research and streamlines the transition for manufacturers. Owners should simply monitor the labels of their preferred cat food brands for any shifts in nutritional content as these new guidelines reach the market.
Further reading
For more information on pet dietary needs, visit Cats.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Petfood Industry Community.
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Should states coordinate enforcement timelines to help pet food companies meet new nutritional labeling requirements?
