How do Australian pet food manufacturers manage pet food safety?

You may have seen recent reports from the United States regarding confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI or bird flu). There have been several cases of cats in the USA contracting HPAI, raising concerns among Australian cat owners. Although there have not been any cases reported in Australia (thanks to the great work of our biosecurity teams), the US experience does create uncertainty for some.

Pet food safety remains our member’s highest priority, with stringent measures in place to uphold quality and integrity at every stage of production.

Certified PFIAA members, as part of the third-party audit program, operate under strict sourcing protocols, using only approved suppliers who meet rigorous safety and quality standards. Additionally, members must have a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)-based risk assessment approach, allowing proactive identification and mitigation of potential risks to ensure only safe, high-quality ingredients are used in pet food formulations.

To further protect pet health and maintain supply chain integrity, PFIAA members must have robust continuity plans in place. These plans ensure that impacted suppliers are not used, guaranteeing that any disruptions do not affect the safety or availability of food for our pets. It is also important to note under the third-party audit program, which has government oversight, that animals affected by disease, whether through an outbreak or illness, are not used as ingredients in pet food. There has been a belief that certification was a tick and flick with a payment, the audit program is not that. Members are audited annually by a qualified and unrelated third-party and they can only become certified each year if they are fully compliant with the Australian Standard – AS5812.

The PFIAA has a strong, ongoing working relationship with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), and we continue to engage with international regulatory bodies and scientific experts to monitor emerging risks. Our member’s commitment is to ensure the highest standards of pet food.

For more information about our member’s pet food safety and quality guidelines, visit: Pet Food Standards | The Pet Food Industry Association of Australia.

To further understand our quality assurance standards, we encourage consumers to explore our public articles on pet food safety and industry best practices.