For pet brands planning to enter the U.S. market, ensuring that products meet AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) nutritional standards is a fundamental prerequisite. As a Shandong-based facility specializing in export-grade pet food OEM/ODM services, Mofeedy has leveraged its extensive experience in contract manufacturing to identify four critical control points for brands to consider.

1. **Formula Design Phase**

AAFCO establishes specific range requirements for protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals in both dog and cat food. During the formula design stage, we precisely calculate every nutritional metric and incorporate a margin for testing variability. This ensures that the finished product—despite potential batch-to-batch differences—does not merely "borderline" meet the standards, thereby avoiding instances of either exceeding or falling short of the required limits.

2. **Raw Material Procurement and Traceability**

AAFCO mandates that raw materials be labeled with their common names and sources. Mofeedy conducts annual on-site audits of all raw material suppliers; furthermore, for every incoming batch of materials, we verify the Certificate of Analysis (COA) and retain samples for future reference. We maintain full-spectrum traceability, particularly regarding animal protein sources (such as chicken, fish, etc.).

3. **Production Process Control**

AAFCO evaluates not only the final nutritional values but also the extent to which processing may degrade nutritional content. We employ low-temperature emulsification and vacuum coating techniques to minimize the loss of heat-sensitive vitamins (such as Vitamins B and E). Additionally, we utilize Critical Control Points (CCPs) to monitor and record parameters—such as temperature and pressure—in real-time, thereby ensuring processing consistency across every production batch.

4. **Batch-by-Batch Testing and Compliance Declarations**

Our in-house, CNAS-accredited laboratory is equipped to independently test for crude protein, crude fat, moisture, crude ash, and various minerals. For every batch of product destined for export to the U.S., we issue a comprehensive report verifying compliance with AAFCO nutritional guarantees. We also coordinate with third-party laboratories to conduct full-spectrum amino acid analyses (upon request), ensuring that all necessary customs clearance documentation is complete and accurate.

Mofeedy has successfully served as a contract manufacturer for numerous U.S. brands, producing staple pet foods and treats that fully comply with AAFCO standards. If you are planning to expand your brand into the U.S. market, we invite you to contact us to receive expert recommendations on compliance strategies.