Recently, the European Pet Food Industry Commission (FEDIAF) officially released its updated 2024 Pet Nutrition Guidelines, aiming to provide pet food manufacturers with more scientific and precise nutritional standards to further safeguard pet health. The guidelines have drawn widespread attention across the global pet food industry since their release.

As an authoritative organization representing the European pet food industry, FEDIAF covers approximately 95% of European pet food producers. While its guidelines are not legally enforceable, they are widely followed by member enterprises due to their high industry recognition. The update is the result of close collaboration between FEDIAF and its Scientific Advisory Committee, composed of European pet food scholars, scientists, and consulting firms.

The new guidelines, based on a comprehensive review of recent nutritional science literature, introduce several key adjustments. For puppy nutrition, the phosphorus content standards have been optimized, and the calculation method for puppy energy requirements has been updated to ensure adequate and appropriate nutritional support during the critical growth period. In the minerals section, content regarding the introduction of calcium and phosphorus upper limits by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has been added, with FEDIAF synchronously updating the nutritional upper limits for these two minerals to avoid over-nutrition risks. Additionally, the guidelines refine nutrient definitions and supplement more annotations and information, enhancing clarity for pet food manufacturers in practical application.

"These updated guidelines serve as a vital resource to help manufacturers provide safe, delicious, and nutritionally rich foods for pets," said Raquel Izquierdo de Santiago, Secretary-General of FEDIAF. The update is not only set to drive the European pet food industry toward more scientific and standardized development but also provides valuable references for global pet food R&D and production, potentially leading the industry to new breakthroughs in pet nutrition.