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Safety of dietetic feed
The more correct term for “dietetic feed” is “feed for par-
ticular nutritional purposes”: the use of these kinds of
feed extends far beyond dietetic purposes.
“Feed for particular nutritional purposes” is designed
to meet the specific nutritional needs of animals whose
process of assimilation, absorption or metabolism is, or
could be, temporarily or irreversibly impaired. Feed prod-
ucts of this type are characterised by a specific compo-
sition or a special production method. In Europe, feed for
particular nutritional purposes is regulated by Regulation
(EC) No. 767/2009 on the labelling of feed. All recog-
nised feed for particular nutritional purposes is contained
in the list in Directive 2008/38/EC.
The BfR is responsible for the assessment of the safe-
ty of these feed products as part of the procedure for
their approval. Its task is to examine the safety of feed
for animals, humans and the environment when the feed
is used in the correct manner. However, there are very
few guidelines regarding the documents the producer
has to submit to provide sufficient evidence of the safety
and efficacy of these kinds of feed product. This makes
assessment of these feed products considerably more
difficult.
In its assessment, the BfR first reviews whether a par-
ticular nutritional purpose exists at all – in other words,
whether the “special feed” can positively influence defi-
cient digestion, absorption or metabolic processes. The
BfR also investigates whether the composition and pro-
duction process of the special feed differ from those of
conventional feed products.
Feed products of specific composition (such as reduced
protein content) can reduce the prevalence of renal dys-
function in older cats, for example. Feed for particular
nutritional purposes is primarily used for cats and dogs,
and increasingly horses as well. It has only been used for
livestock in individual cases to date.
In the view of the BfR, therefore, feed that makes ref-
erence to diseases that are not or not only food-related
(such as joint disease) does not constitute feed for “par-
ticular nutritional purposes” as defined by Regulation
(EC) No. 767/2009.
“Feed for particular nutritional purposes” is designed to meet the specific nutritional needs of animals whose process
of assimilation, absorption or metabolism is, or could be, temporarily or irreversibly impaired.
Food Safety