MYTH: NATURAL MEANS ORGANIC.
FACT: Natural and organic are not interchangeable.
- Other truthful claims, such as free-range, hormone-free, and natural, can still appear on food labels.However, do not confuse these terms with “organic.” Only food labeled “organic products” has been certified as organic in accordance with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) regulations
TERM |
LEGALLY DEFINED |
DEFINITION |
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| Organic | Yes | According to AAFC, the term “organic” may only be applied to pet food labels that meet regulations. |
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| Natural | Yes | According to AAFCO, the term “natural” requires a pet food to consist of only natural ingredients without chemical alterations.* |
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| Holistic | NO | There is no legal defi nition of this term under laws devoted to pet foods. Any manufacturer can make claims of “holistic” in literature and brochures regardless of ingredients chosen. |
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| Human Grade | NO | Claims that a product contains or is made from ingredients that are “human grade,” “human quality,” “people foods,” or “ingredients you (the purchaser) would eat,” are false and misleading.* |
