Mexico Implements New Pet Food Safety Standard: NOM-012-SAG/ZOO-2020

Mexico has recently implemented a new pet food safety standard, NOM-012-SAG/ZOO-2020, which replaces the previous regulation, NOM-012-ZOO-1993. This updated standard introduces a range of changes aimed at modernizing and tightening controls on products for animal consumption.

One of the key updates in NOM-012-SAG/ZOO-2020 is the inclusion of clearer and more detailed definitions for terms such as “balanced medicated feed” and “quality control and verification.” This clarity helps eliminate ambiguities and provides a solid framework for regulators and producers to work within.

The new regulation also mandates rigorous quality control measures for both raw materials and finished products, including stability testing for high-moisture pet food. Each production batch must be meticulously identified and tracked to ensure traceability from raw materials to final product.

In addition, NOM-012-SAG/ZOO-2020 introduces stricter labeling requirements to ensure transparency and consumer safety. Product labels must now be in Spanish and provide clear information on net content, ingredients, dosages, and warnings. Special provisions are made for medicated feeds to prevent misuse.

For imported animal products, the regulation establishes more robust identification and quality control requirements to ensure that imported products meet the same standards as domestically produced ones.

The enforcement of NOM-012-SAG/ZOO-2020 is backed by detailed verification and inspection protocols conducted by SENASICA. These measures aim to ensure that all products on the market meet regulatory requirements and safeguard animal health.

Overall, NOM-012-SAG/ZOO-2020 represents a significant step forward in regulating animal food and pet food products in Mexico. By enhancing quality control, improving labeling, tightening import regulations, and strengthening verification procedures, this regulation aims to ensure higher safety and quality standards, aligning Mexico’s practices with international benchmarks.