Page 170 - Raw Diet References Book 2019

Proposed Revisions Edited per Comments for 2014 Official Publication 3

Indications regarding expected nutrient availability from some ingredient sources
are given in footnotes. It is important to read the footnotes to the tables as they contain
information critical to many of the recommended concentrations. Additionally,
manufacturers must make allowances to nutrient concentrations prior to processing to
account for losses during processing and subsequent storage. The recommended
concentrations in the Profiles are those expected to be present at the time the formula is
consumed by the animal.
The established profiles are the “AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles” and
“AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles” as the terms are applied in AAFCO model pet
food regulations referring to nutritional adequacy. Under these model regulations, dog
and cat foods substantiated for nutritional adequacy by reference to the AAFCO Dog
and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for a designated life stage(s) must be formulated to
contain at least the minimum concentrations of nutrients specified in the Profiles, and,
for some nutrients, not more than any maximum concentration listed for that specific
nutrient in the Profiles as shown in this section. Products with their nutritional
adequacy substantiated by AAFCO Feeding Protocols are not mandated to meet the
minimum or maximum concentrations listed in the Profiles. Additionally, snacks,
treats or products intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only are not
mandated to meet the concentrations in the Profiles unless their labeling references the
Profiles.
The AAFCO Dog and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles and the AAFCO Feeding
Protocols are the only methods recognized by AAFCO for substantiating the nutritional
adequacy of "complete and balanced" dog or cat foods. If a product is substantiated by
a feeding trial and does not meet the AAFCO Dog or Cat Food Nutrient Profiles, the
label cannot reference the Profiles. An unqualified reference to an AAFCO Dog or Cat
Food Nutrient Profile is an implied guarantee that the product contains the minimum
concentrations for all nutrients in the profile and no more than any maximum
concentration listed for a specific nutrient in the profile.
Minimum and some maximum nutrient concentrations were established in the
Profiles for two categories; growth and reproduction (gestation/lactation), and adult
maintenance. Maximum nutrient concentrations were established for nutrients where
the potential for overuse or toxicity is of concern and likely to occur if attention is not
paid to the concentrations of those nutrients. The absence of a maximum concentration
should not be interpreted to mean that nutrients without a specific maximum content
are safe at any concentration. Rather, it reflects the lack of information in dogs and
cats on toxic concentrations of that nutrient. Establishing a maximum concentration
implies safety below that concentration for long term consumption and to set a
maximum arbitrarily might prove worse than no maximum at all.
The nutrient concentrations are expressed on a dry matter (DM) basis and at a
specified caloric density. Diets should be corrected for caloric density as indicated
below. Reference to the concentrations of nutrients on a product label in the
guaranteed analysis must be expressed in the same units and order as given in the
AAFCO Dog or Cat Food Nutrient Profiles. For the purposes of determining
metabolizable energy (ME), use the methods specified in Model Regulation PF9.

AAFCO DOG FOOD NUTRIENT PROFILES
a
BASED ON DRY MATTER

Nutrients Units Growth & Adult Maximum
DM Reproduction Maintenance
b
Basis Minimum Minimum