With the recent outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), the Global Alliance of Pet Food Associations (GAPFA) reminds stakeholders of the safe commodity status of extruded dry pet food and heat treated, hermetically sealed poultry meat products (including pet food) with respect to HPAI as these processing methods inactivate the HPAI virus.

As designated by the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH) and published in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code in 2021, the WOAH recognition provides assurance that heat treated poultry meat products in a hermetically sealed container (including pet food) with a F0 value of 3 or above and extruded dry pet food can safely be traded regardless of HPAI disease outbreak status of the producing country or the country of origin of the raw materials.

This recognition is the result of a thorough scientific evaluation and review of data which showed the processing of pet food that meets the requirements of the Terrestrial Code results in the production of a safe commodity with respect to HPAI. Other commodities, such as fresh cooked and refrigerated pet food, can also be traded safely if cooked in accordance with WOAH time and temperature recommendations (Articles 10.4.17., 10.4.18., 10.4.19., 10.4.24.) to inactivate the HPAI virus.

“A high level of scientific rigor went into the evaluation of the inactivation of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAI) in extruded dry pet food and in heat treated, hermetically sealed poultry meat products including pet food to meet the conditions in the Terrestrial Code. This assures that pet food meeting these conditions can continue to be safely traded regardless of the disease outbreak status of a producing country”, stated Loretta Hunter, GAPFA President.

Additional Information

The Terrestrial Code is a comprehensive set of guidelines and standards aimed at ensuring the health and welfare of terrestrial animals. It provides a framework for countries to develop and implement effective animal health policies and practices and to facilitate safe international trade in animals and animal products, ensuring that health risks are minimized and that countries can protect their animal populations.

GAPFA works cooperatively with WOAH through their Memorandum of Understanding. GAPFA first announced a memorandum of understanding with WOAH (formerly OIE) in 2017, in which the organizations agreed to partner on relevant activities related to setting international standards in pet food safety. The global association maintains strategic partnerships with multiple organizations that share the common goals of promoting pet food safety and nutrition, pet wellbeing and the human-animal bond.

About GAPFA

The Global Alliance of Pet Food Associations (GAPFA) is a non-profit association of pet food manufacturers, established in Belgium in 2014. GAPFA’s mission is to support the health and wellbeing of dogs and cats and to promote the benefits of living with them, by providing a forum to address industry consensus on key issues of mutual interest. The Alliance works to promote adherence to food safety and nutritional standards enabling manufacturers to deliver wholesome, healthy and nutritious prepared pet foods; to promote the feeding of prepared pet food to support the health and wellbeing of pets; and to develop and disseminate educational resources which highlight and enhance the benefits of human pet interaction. For further information, please visit www.gapfa.org.

Terrestrial Code Online Access - WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health

ENDS/ issued by GAPFA