French pet food new regulations: prohibit the use of artificial pigments and preservatives
Recently, the French government has issued a new regulation on pet food, which clearly stipulates that artificial colors and preservatives are prohibited from adding pet food. This policy aims to improve the safety and health standards of pet food, and has attracted widespread attention from the global pet industry and consumers. The following is a detailed interpretation of this new regulation and related hot content.
1. Main contents of the new regulations
France's new regulations require that all pet foods sold in the country (including dog food, cat food and other pet foods) must meet the following standards:
| Prohibited ingredients | Alternatives | Implementation time |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial pigments (such as caramel color, lemon yellow, etc.) | Natural pigments (such as carotene, beet red) | December 1, 2023 |
| Preservatives (such as BHA, BHT, etc.) | Natural antioxidants (such as vitamin E, rosemary extract) | December 1, 2023 |
This regulation applies to local production and import of pet food in France. Companies who violate regulations will face high fines or punishment for product removal.
2. Background of the introduction of the new regulations
In recent years, more and more research has shown that artificial pigments and preservatives can have negative effects on pet health, including allergies, digestive problems and even cancer risks. As a major European pet food consumer country, France's new regulations are introduced in response to long-term calls from consumers and animal rights organizations.
According to data from the French Ministry of Agriculture, the French pet food market size reached 4.5 billion euros in 2022, of which about 30% of the products contain controversial additives. The implementation of the new regulations will directly affect more than 200 pet food manufacturers.
3. Industry response and consumer attitude
The pet food industry has responded to the new regulations in a different way:
| Stakeholders | manner | Main points |
|---|---|---|
| Large pet food brands | support | The formula has been adjusted in advance and complies with the new regulations |
| Small and medium-sized manufacturers | Worry | Costs rise, may be forced to exit the market |
| Consumer Organization | Strongly support | It is considered a major advance in pet food safety |
Consumer surveys show that 85% of French pet owners support the new regulations and say they are willing to pay higher prices for healthier pet food.
4. Global pet food industry trends
France's move is not an isolated case. In recent years, many countries and regions around the world have begun to strengthen supervision of pet food:
| Country/Region | Similar regulations | Implementation time |
|---|---|---|
| EU | Limit some artificial additives | 2022 |
| USA | Required to mark the source of additives | 2024 (in the proposal) |
| Japan | Strengthen preservative testing | April 2023 |
Analysts predict that the market share of natural ingredients pet foods will grow from 35% to more than 50% over the next five years.
5. Suggestions for pet owners
For pet owners, the implementation of the new regulations means that pet food selection needs to be more careful:
1. Check the ingredient list to avoid buying products containing artificial colors or preservatives;
2. Priority is given to pet food marked "natural" or "organic";
3. Pay attention to brand statements, and many manufacturers have begun to publicly promise to comply with the new French regulations;
4. Consult a veterinarian and choose the right food according to the individual pet needs.
The introduction of this new French regulation marks an important step forward in the global pet food industry's development towards healthier and more transparent direction. As consumers increase their attention to pet health, more countries are expected to follow up on similar policies in the future.
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