New UK Pet Food Labelling Regulations Coming into Force March 2026

## Major Labelling Overhaul Announced The Pet Food Manufacturers' Association (PFMA) has announced that updated pet food labelling guidelines will come into force across the UK from March 2026. These changes represent the most significant overhaul of pet food packaging requirements in over a decade and are designed to give pet owners clearer, more transparent information about what they're feeding their animals. The new regulations follow two years of consultation with veterinary nutritionists, consumer groups, and industry stakeholders. They align with broader food industry transparency trends while addressing concerns specific to the pet food market. ## Key Changes for Pet Owners The most impactful change for consumers is the requirement for clearer percentage declarations of meat and animal-derived ingredients. Currently, manufacturers can use vague terms like "meat and animal derivatives." Under the new guidelines, they must specify the type of meat, the percentage, and whether it's fresh, dried, or rendered. Additionally, the term "natural" will now have a legal definition in pet food labelling. Products claiming to be "natural" must contain at least 95% naturally derived ingredients, with any synthetic additions (such as vitamins and minerals) clearly identified. This addresses widespread concerns about "greenwashing" in the pet food industry. ## Country of Origin Requirements For the first time, pet food sold in the UK will need to clearly display where the product was manufactured, not just where the brand is headquartered. This change is particularly relevant for brands that design products in the UK but manufacture overseas. The country of origin of primary animal-protein ingredients must also be disclosed if different from the manufacturing country. This gives pet owners who prefer locally sourced products the information they need to make informed choices. ## Industry Response Reaction from the pet food industry has been mixed. Premium brands like Lily's Kitchen and Forthglade have welcomed the changes, noting that they already exceed most of the new requirements. Mass-market manufacturers have expressed concerns about implementation costs and the timeline for compliance, though the PFMA has provided a 12-month transition period. Retail analysts predict that the changes could benefit premium and super-premium pet food brands, as greater label transparency may highlight the quality differences between price tiers more clearly than current labelling allows.