Requirements for selling oral nutritional compounds
If you sell animal feed (including pet food) and nutritional supplements in New Zealand, you must meet the requirements for oral nutritional compounds.
These are set out in regulations.
Before you can legally sell oral nutritional compounds, you must make sure:
- your product is fit for purpose (regulation 7)
- the information required by the regulations is on the product label (regulation 12)
- you don't make misleading statements about the product – particularly therapeutic claims (regulation 13)
- you meet the specific requirements for oral nutritional compounds (Schedule 2, Part B, entry 22).
Labelling requirements for animal food and nutritional supplements
Regulation 12 lists what needs to be on your product's label. This includes (but is not limited to):
- directions for use
- expiry or use-by date
- details of any precautions to take.
If you make a change to a product, or its label, you're considered a manufacturer for that product. You will then need to meet the requirements for manufacturers.
Find out about manufacturing pet food, animal feed, and nutritional supplements
Advertising pet food, animal feed, and supplements
If you promote or advertise a pet food, animal feed, or nutritional supplement, you must comply with Regulation 13. This means you can't make therapeutic or pharmacological claims about the product – for example, by stating that your product treats arthritis.
Other requirements
You should also ensure that there are no ACVM alerts that may relate to your ONC.
Who to contact
If you have questions about pet food, animal feed, and nutritional supplements, email info@mpi.govt.nz
